Step into the Enchanting History of Chrishall in North West Essex
Welcome to Chrishall, a village steeped in history that stretches back to before the Domesday Book was penned. This website serves as your gateway to the rich tapestry of tales and traditions that define our community and its extraordinary inhabitants. Beyond the digital realm, we invite you to explore our delightful Archive, where we curate captivating displays that bring our history to life. Don’t miss out—subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on our events and ongoing research.
Discover What’s On
Join us at our Archive during the summer months, where we open our doors from 2 to 5 PM. Indulge in delicious refreshments as you immerse yourself in our current exhibition, which showcases the fascinating journey of the village hall and its roots as a Methodist Chapel. There are no more planned openings for 2025 but do get in touch if you would like to arrange a private visit – or keep an eye out for new dates for 2026.
Available now!
Available now!The history of Chrishall Village Hall and its background as a Primitive Methodist Chapel. This little booklet may be small but contains a wealth of information and stories about how methodism first came to Chrishall and was so embraced by the community that they contributed every penny they had, practically, to make sure they had their own building to worship in.
Copies are available at the Archive but can be posted out. Please use the contact form on this page to request copies and quote for postage.
Village walks to download
Discover the hidden gems of Chrishall with our curated walking routes. Each path tells a story of our rich history and stunning landscapes. Download our guides and embark on an adventure that connects you with the heart of our community.
Articles to read
John Lucas, Village Constable
On a Spring morning, just over 350 years ago, we know precisely what one of Chrishall’s farmers was doing. Was he on his farmland in Church Road instructing his men on the crops he wanted planted? No. He was in Newport. For John Lucas, a yeoman farmer of Chrishall,...
Halloween celebrations at Chrishall Primary school in the 1970s
Being in school any later in the day than is necessary, isn’t the desire of many children. However, turn back the clock fifty years to the 1970s; Chrishall Primary school, on October 31st, after 5pm was the place to be. Earlier in the week, Sheila and Colin Nelson...
Lettice Martin
In the reign of Elizabeth I, a Chrishall woman set up charities for the benefit of the poor of a number of villages. Who was this Chrishall lady? How was she so wealthy and why did she give so generously? Her name was Lettice Martin and in 1568, when she made her...
POW Camp
Over the past few years we have explored the history behind the POW camp(s) at Chrishall Grange. This has been done in association with The Ickleton Society and you can see a full report of the findings on their website here.
Lettice Martin Trail: Thomas Crawley
Lettice’s father, Thomas Crawley was a wealthy speculator in chantry lands in Essex and in 1553 he had been the escheator (which meant he dealt with property returning to the Crown on the death of someone ) for Essex and Hertfordshire. It is not clear whether this was...
Water water everywhere: High Street Pump
This is one of the village water pumps by the old school. You can see some of the straw cladding that was wrapped around the pumps in the winter to stop them freezing up.
Lettice Martin Trail: Thomas Crawley’s Memorial in Elmdon Church
Thomas Crawley was, as far as we know, Lettice Martin's father. He lived in Elmdon and has a wonderful memorial in Elmdon Church. There are several memorial plates in the floor to the right of the altar. These are sometimes covered with a mat to protect them. They...
Village Walks
While you're in Chrishall, why not explore our charming Village Walks? These delightful short strolls guide you through the picturesque local area, highlighting points of interest along the way. For those seeking deeper insights, each walk features QR codes that link...
Chamberses
(The following article was written by Irene Cranwell) I suppose everyone has a favorite saying, or sayings – nearly 60 years ago Richard Llewellyn was the author of one of mine. He wrote “There is no fence or hedge round time that has gone. You can go back and have...
Updates to existing content:
- June 2025
- April 2025
- Additional material and photo of Mrs Guiver added to the page about Kemps
- Additional material about Nash’s Farmhouse
- Name research on the Hearth Tax details and addition of 1670 return
- January 2025
- Update to the Links page
- January 2024:
- Update to the details of Rev Leachman on the Vicars of Chrishall page
- March 2022:
- October 2022
-
- Update to the War Memorial page to include names of local special constables
