The 3 R's history trail

The 3 R’s history trail covers the churches of Rawreth, Rettendon & Runwell.

Each church is unique with its own history and we welcome you to come and find out more. Visit our churches and see for yourself.

Today we launched the 3 R’s history trail with Open Days at St Nicholas Rawreth, All Saints Rettendon, and St Mary’s Runwell.

Rawreth Church (St Nicholas)

The parish of Rawreth has a list of Rectors going back to before 1361. It retains a 13th century tower, but the present church was rebuilt in 1882. The tower, arch and west wall of the north aisle remain from 1450, the rest has been rebuilt in 1882 to designs of Ernest Geldart, rector of Little Braxted.

• The family of Lancelot Andrewes lived in Rawreth and St Nicholas Church was their family church. Andrewes served successively as Bishop of Chichester, Ely and Winchester and oversaw the translation of the Authorized Version (or King James Version) of the Bible.
• Church organ - one of the smallest church organs in the country, built c.1860-1870 by Bryceson and Ellis
• Bells - over 700 years old and made by John Hadham C. 1320, making them amongst the oldest bells in Essex
• Chancel screen, reredos and pulpit - designed by the architect, the Reverend Geldart in 1862
• Memorial - to Edmund Tyrell and his wife of Beeches manor dated 1576

Runwell Church (St Mary's)

St. Mary’s Church is a beautiful Grade I* listed building, a magnificent mediaeval building which boasts an interesting and mixed history. The church is often described by both visitors and regular worshippers as a powerful sacred space to which they have been drawn.

This powerful impact comes in part from the art and architecture in the space. From the modern rood screen to the beautiful stained glass windows, St Mary’s is a must on any history trail. Its two churchyards (one linked to Runwell Hospital) also provide green space in which to walk and reflect. The church and churchyards are often used for contemplative Quiet Days. The Running Well, which may have given Runwell its name, is one mile from the Church.

• Prioress' tomb - tomb of the last Prioress at the Nunnery by the Running Well
• Runwell cross - original and contemporary versions of this unique cross design
• Devil's Claw - marks on a door, said to have been made by the Devil whilst chasing a curate
• Murals - medieval-style mural designs and interior decoration
• Painting - 'The Baptism of Christ' by Walsingham artist Enid Chadwick
• Squints - enabling those outside to see in.

Rettendon Church (All Saints)

The village of Rettendon is blessed with an old and beautiful Grade 1 listed church, with many unique aspects of its history.

The church stands on high ground, its 15th century ragstone tower acting as a landmark for the area. All Saints stands on high ground and from its lofty tower, over 100 feet high, there is an extensive view. To the east one can see the Crouch estuary, to the south the hills of Rayleigh stand out boldly, to the west, the round hilltops of the Langdon Hills are a notable landmark.

• Memorial - marble and alabaster memorial to Edmund Humfrye dating from the early 18th century, one of the best of its type in the country
• Anchorite Cell - the upstairs room over the vestry may have been used by an anchorite linked to the Nunnery at the Running Well, as evidenced by the window there which overlooks the altar
• Memorial brasses - to the Canon family, whose charity fund is available to villagers in need to this day
• Choir stalls - with 15th century medieval wood carvings on the nine bench ends
• Piscina and Sedilia - the Piscina, a stone basin, is dated 1220 while the double Sedilia also dates from the 13th century and consists of two bays with trefoiled heads and moulded labels

St Nicholas Church, Church Rd, Rawreth, Wickford SS11 8SH
Open every day between 09:00—16:00

St Mary's Church, Runwell Road, Runwell, Essex SS11 7HS
St Mary's is open by prior arrangement only. Please contact the churchwarden to arrange a time to visit:
Tel: 01268 765360
Email: alanvictorjones20@gmail.com

All Saints Church, Church Chase, Rettendon, Chelmsford CM3 8DP
Open Friday 10:00—12:00 or by prior arrangement only.

For further details on our history trail please contact:

Rev'd Jonathan Evens - jonathan.evens@btinternet.com | 07803 562329
Rev’d Steve Lissenden - revsteveliss@gmail.com | 07944 959300

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Josh Garrels - Farther Along.

Letting go and letting God

Here's the sermon that I shared at St Andrew's Wickford this morning:

Steve Turner’s poem ‘History Lesson’ is simple, short and blunt:

History repeats itself.
Has to.
No-one listens.

Why is conflict so much a part of our human existence? Why, despite the devastation and loss of life that we saw in two World Wars, does it still seem that we are so far from the ability to live in peace with one another? I want to suggest a partial answer to us using the story of Jonah (Jonah 3).

The story is both well-known and relatively simple. Jonah is tasked by God with preaching to the Ninevites but instead turns tail and takes a ship heading in the opposite direction. A violent storm leads the sailors to throw Jonah overboard. The storm then calms and Jonah is swallowed by a great fish. Inside the fish Jonah repents and, once spewed out onto dry land, travels to Ninevah where he delivers the message God gave him. The Ninevites hear him, repent and are saved from disaster. Jonah is angry with God because the Ninevites are the enemies of the people of Israel and so he wanted them destroyed.

That hatred of the Ninevites was the reason why Jonah rejected God’s call on his life and took a ship in the opposite direction to the place God had wanted him to go. Protection of his people - the people of Israel - by the destruction of their enemies - the Ninevites - was more important to him than doing God’s will. Jonah was angry with God because he thought God should only be on the side of and care for his people and, therefore, he wanted to try to frustrate God’s plans to save their enemies from disaster. He was angry with God because he wanted to possess God by keeping him only as the personal God of his people.

Jonah had actually completely misunderstood God’s relationship with the people of Israel and the reason for it. The choosing of the people of Israel as God’s chosen people and the gift to them of the promised land was not so that they would be protected by their own personal God in a land that was theirs to own. Instead of being their property, the promised land was a gift from God which enabled them to be a light revealing God to the nations around them. So, whenever they thought about themselves and the protection of their own possessions, they were actually wandering away from God’s will for their lives.

When Jonah did this, his lack of surrender to God’s will and God’s way caused disturbance - the storm - in his life which also affected the people around him. It was only when Jonah recognised that the storm - the disturbance in and around him - was directly connected to his lack of surrender to God’s will that the storm died down and he had time and space in which to repent and return to God’s way.

It is the same for us. When we are concerned with what we think of as ours - when we are saying this is mine, my property, my church, my nation - we are automatically anxious, worried and fearful because we are in defensive mode and we experience disturbance; disturbance which affects others because we are trying to protect what we think of as ours from those we think will take it from us. By contrast, Jesus calls us to give up our lives and let go of our possessions by handing them over to him - to let go and let God. When we genuinely do this, we find we are at peace because whatever we have and wherever we are and whatever we do is then in God’s hands - everything is his and his gift to us. We experience contentment with what we have and where we are and what we do because it is all God’s gift to us.

We read in the Letter to the Philippians, ‘I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.' (Philippians 4.11-13)

Conflict and disturbance arise in our lives and in our world whenever we, like Jonah, have not surrendered to God’s will. Again, like Jonah, this occurs whenever we want to possess or protect things for ourselves, our group or our people. Instead, God calls us to let go and let God; to simply acknowledge that we own nothing, that all is God’s creation and gift. When we let go of our claim on the things around us, including our own lives, we start to genuinely trust God and learn the secret of being content in any and every situation. In this state, there is no disturbance or conflict because there is nothing to possess or protect and, therefore, we can know and share peace with others.

Jesus shows us how to do this by laying down his life for the sake of others and his resurrection reveals the new life that results. Just as he called his first disciples, so he calls us to follow in his footsteps by taking up our cross and losing our lives for his sake; letting go and letting God.

Will we be like Jonah and resist the call of God which leads to turmoil and disturbance in our lives and our world or will we be like Jesus’ disciples who gave up everything to follow him? Before deciding, we should reflect that to follow him is the way that leads to abundant, peaceful, contented and eternal life. It is as we surrender to God and to his will for our lives that we come to know his peace in our lives and are enabled to share that peace with others.

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Moby - Le Vide.

Church Times - Art review: Anthony Lawrence (1951-2022): A Retrospective (Palais des Vaches, Lower Exbury)

My latest exhibition review for Church Times is on Anthony Lawrence (1951-2022): A Retrospective at Palais des Vaches, Lower Exbury:

'Lawrence’s life’s work was painting, of which this large and varied retrospective is simply a glinting drop in a wider ocean. While constantly evolving through styles and series as a great “knowing” Post-Modernist, Lawrence sought, through his blend of tradition and invention, history and innovation, to hint at how reconciliation might be found in the great contest of social humanity. But, as Morsberger notes, what is supremely important in his work are the wonderful questions that he asks, questions that generated much comment when these images were first shown and that retain that capacity for all who will journey to the Palais des Vache to journey with the artist through Dante’s dark wood and do so under cataclysmic skies.'

Other of my pieces for Church Times can be found here. My writing for ArtWay can be found here. My pieces for Artlyst are here, those for Seen & Unseen are here, and those for Art+Christianity are here.

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Bruce Springsteen - Reason To Believe.

Events Update

 

Check out these amazing events in June and July in Wickford and Runwell:

Our Great Big Green Week (Churches Count on Nature and Love Your Burial Ground) events continue this week:

Wickford Wildlife Moth Night, Friday 13 June, 8.00 pm, St Mary's Runwell.

Contact Sue Wise on Sue.wise@sky.com, if you plan to come.

Messy Church in the Garden,Saturday 14 June 2025 at 2 a.m. for 2 hours, St Andrew's Church, London Road Wickford, SS12 0AN.

Mess! Fun! Food! FREE Kids crafts, activities, games, stories, & songs! plus FREE tea for each child. Email emmacdoe@googlemail.com or Sue.wise@sky.com

Open Mic Night

Friday 13 June, 7.30 pm, St Andrew's Wickford.

Come along to St Andrews Church, London Road, Wickford. As always everyone is welcome to come along and sing, play or whatever you would like to do anything goes! The surroundings are very comfortable and acoustics are fantastic. There will also be a bar available. Hope to see you there!

Museum of Living History workshop

Saturday 21 June, 10.00 am - 12 noon, St Andrew's Wickford.

Explore the history of the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 with Unpuzzled Theatre in an intergenerational workshop called The Museum of Living History. Unpuzzled Theatre are building a museum. What will you add? This workshop is linked to 'Revolt!', a co-creation project exploring power, protest, and impossible choices. It takes inspiration from the Peasants’ Revolt — a moment in history when everything was up for grabs. http://unpuzzledtheatre.com/wat-tyler/

Living God's future now

You are warmly invited to join us at the Living God Future Now event, presented by HeartEdge and with performances from The Choral Scholars of St Martins-in-the Fields.

Join us for one or both days, as we explore new approaches to mission. There will be a wide range of ideas covered, so we hope you will find something inspiring to take home.

Friday 27th June will be hosted by St Andrew’s Church, Wickford and will begin at 9:45am. Author Sam Wells and other inspiring guest speakers will share their insights and explore The 4Cs, (Commerce, Compassion, Culture, Congregation). There will be opportunities to share ideas, connect with your colleagues and be actively involved in our Being With workshops. We’ll also discuss music in mission and enjoy live musical performances.

‘Heaven and Earth’: A concert by The Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields
Friday 27 June, 7.00 pm, St Andrew’s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford SS12 0AN
The Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields sing for services, concerts and other events at St Martin’s, exploring a huge range of repertoire from the Renaissance to the present day.

Saturday 28th June will be hosted at St Mary’s Church, Runwell and in contrast this will be a Quiet Day. We’ll begin the morning at 9:00 am with a contemplative prayer walk through Wickford Memorial Park. This will be followed by input from Catherine Duce, of The Nazareth Community at St Martin-in-the-Fields, drawing on their seven spiritual disciplines, in particular the significance of silent prayer and service in listening to the Spirit at work in our lives.

We all have something to bring to the church and this inspiring event will help us recognise this value. Leave with your imagination sparked and your heart singing!

This is a Diocesan event supported with SDF funding. Refreshments will be provided but please let us know if you have any dietary requirements, allergies or additional needs.

Find out more about the event and register for it here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/living-gods-future-now-an-event-by-heartedge-tickets-1319715016139?aff=oddtdtcreator


Quiet Days

Our Quiet Days enable people to reflect in the beautiful and historic surrounds of St Mary’s Runwell and St Nicholas Rawreth. St. Mary’s is often described by visitors and by regular worshippers as a powerful sacred space to which they have been drawn. St Nicholas provides times of quiet and reflection in a beautiful setting.

Themes for 2025 include: Rogation Days; A Path with a Heart; Sabbath; Our Lady; and Lancelot Andrewes (at St Nicholas).

All are 10.30 am – 3.30 pm. Runwell Rd SS11 7HS/Church Rd SS11 8SH.

• Saturday 28 June – A Path with a Heart: Seeking inspiration from the Nazareth Community - Silence and Service are at the very heart of the Nazareth rule of life. Led by Revd Catherine Duce, Assistant Vicar for the Companions of Nazareth, St Martin-in-the-Fields.
• Saturday 12 July – Sabbath: Explore Sabbath as both a day of rest and the coming kingdom of God. Led by Mike Tricker, LLM.
• Wednesday 13 August – Our Lady: Reflect on the experiences, inspiration and support of Our Lady, the Mother of Jesus. Led by Revd Sue Wise.
• Saturday 27 September – Lancelot Andrewes: Discover the influence and example of Lancelot Andrewes (who lived in Rawreth) who helped define Anglican doctrine, translate the Bible, and shape the liturgy. Led by Revd Jonathan Evens & Revd Steve Lissenden. To be held at St Nicholas Rawreth.

Cost: £8.00 per person, including sandwich lunch (pay on the day). To book: jonathan.evens@btinternet.com / 07803 562329 (28/06, 12/07, 27/09) or sue.wise@sky.com / 07941 506156 (28/05, 12/07).

Parking available: Church Hall (Runwell) or Village Hall (Rawreth). Nearest station: Wickford (for Runwell) or Battlesbridge (for Rawreth).


An evening with Neil Tye
Friday 4 July, 7.00 pm
St Andrew’s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford SS12 0AN

For the last 25 years Neil Tye has been working professionally, as a physical visual theatre performer, instructor, teacher, and installation artist, and has taken his performances, and teaching skills around the world. Hear stories about his music, performance, and painting.

Part of ‘Unveiled’, the Friday night arts and performance event at St Andrew’s Church

Artist Statement

Neil’s artistic practice is grounded in an intuitive and process-driven approach, wherein the act of painting itself dictates the final composition. Rather than adhering to predetermined concepts, he engages with the canvas through spontaneous mark-making and gestural forms, allowing the work to evolve organically. While his initial engagement with a piece may be sparked by a particular colour or shape, it is the dynamic interplay of movement, texture, and form that ultimately guides its development.

By embracing spontaneity and fluidity, his work exists at the intersection of abstraction and interpretation, inviting viewers to engage with the imagery in a way that is both personal and open-ended. Through this interplay between process and meaning-making, Neil`s paintings function as both intuitive expressions and conceptual explorations of movement, memory, and transformation.

About the artist

Neil Tye (b. 1963, London UK) is a Denmark-based artist with a background in both visual arts and physical theatre. Initially working as a performer and educator in physical theatre, he transitioned into visual expression 15 years ago. He holds an MA in Professional Practice from Middlesex University, London, and has exhibited, performed, and taught extensively across Europe and beyond. His exhibitions include venues such as the arts and culture centre Spinderihallerne (Denmark), the arts centre Banco de Nordeste (Brazil), and The Post Houston TX (USA), among others. Drawing from his multidisciplinary background, Neil’s work explores movement, form, and storytelling through visual mediums. He continues to create from his studio M10 in the Art zone area here in Spinderihallerene.

'The things we carry'

Following its initial display at Spinderihallerene in April, Neil's latest exhibition 'The things we carry' will be shown at Redbud Arts Center, Houston, from 7 - 28 June. This is a collection of mixed media works that centre around the nature of human connection. To mark the opening, Redbud Arts Center will host a special one-night performance by the internationally acclaimed Ad Deum Dance Company. The performance, inspired by themes from Tye's exhibition, will weave movement, storytelling, and live interaction with the artwork, offering audiences a multidisciplinary experience that bridges visual art and contemporary dance.

Neil says of the exhibition: "The title of this exhibition was inspired by reflections I had while creating my recent body of work. The first thought centres on the fundamental nature of human connection—we are not meant to navigate life alone. We rely on one another for support, understanding, and encouragement, whether through conversation, shared experiences, or emotional upliftment. The second thought arose from one particular painting, which evoked the image of an overloaded truck. This visual metaphor led me to consider how, in life, we accumulate and carry various burdens—emotions, worries, frustrations, memories, secrets, hopes, and dreams. These intangible yet weighty elements can become overwhelming, making it evident that we cannot bear them alone. At times, we must find ways to release or share these burdens, but this raises important questions: Where do we turn for relief? To whom do we entrust our heaviest thoughts? And how can we cultivate a sense of communal support to help lighten the loads we all inevitably carry?"

Make Space for God, Saturday 5 July, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm, Miracle House, Silva Island Way, Wickford

A day of creativity and inspiration lead by Anja and Neil Tye, the visionary leaders of "Art Encounter" from Denmark.

Art Encounter is an international arts ministry under Rescue Team which is run by married couple Neil and Anja Tye who are based in Denmark.

Neil and Anja are trained artists, and have been using their artistic skills as artist missionaries for many years. They have worked with different Christian organisations and churches from around the world such as Creative Mission in Sweden, Creative Arts Europe in Belgium, YWAM Costa Rica, Circus Victory Brazil, Ad Deum Dance Company USA, Iris Ministries Brazil, Acts Academy International Bible College, to Euroclass youth Mission boarding school in Denmark.

Art Encounter communicates the Gospel by using the arts, from dance, theatre, creative writing, and the visual arts and painting in various settings both in Denmark and around the world.


Adventures in Joy: An exhibition by Max Blake, 2 May – 25 July 2025, St Andrew’s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford SS12 0AN

St Andrew’s is usually open: Sat 9am-12.30pm; Sun 9.30am-12 noon; Mon 2-3.45pm; Tue 1-4.30pm; Wed 10am-12 noon; Fri 10am-1pm. https://wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk/whats-on.html

“Adventures in Joy” presents the most recent work produced by artist and cleric Max Blake. It includes some of the work he has developed though his studies of Icons, as well as his experiments in a more abstract and surreal direction. Max explores his own deep imagination, which is fed by his wide knowledge of religion and reflections amongst other things.

As a man of faith, much of his work expresses an exploration of the Christian faith. Over recent years, Max has studied Byzantine and Coptic Iconography and he has used this study to develop his own interpretations of the icon. Much of Max’s work is highly detailed and the viewer can find many hidden details, people, faces and shapes in his work. This creates a joyful adventure for the eye through bright and vivid worlds. Max uses a range of media including oil paints, inks and coloured pencils.

Max Blake was born in East London in the early 50s and then grew up in Basildon. After graduating as a teacher, Max taught art in secondary schools across south Essex. He also worked with children with anxiety and children with special needs. He was ordained deacon followed by priesting in the early 2000s. Although he is now retired, Max still works as a retired priest with Permission to Officiate in the United Benefice of Horndon, Orsett and Bulphan.

As well as artwork Max has also illustrated book covers and books for children. He continues to exhibit his vibrant work in various locations, including the Well House Gallery in Horndon on the Hill and St Catherine’s Church in East Tilbury. https://www.wellhousegallery.co.uk/art/max-blake

Our churches in Wickford and Runwell are places to enjoy cultural programmes including concerts and exhibitions as well as being places to see art and architecture.

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The Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields - Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending.