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St Michael, Theydon Mount Church 32 photos

Theydon Mount, Essex

St Michael's Church

  • Locked, no keyholder details
  • 32 photos
  • Stained glass
  • Hatchments
Directions
Opening
Locked – no keyholder details.
Built
1611-1614
Tower
Square tower (west) · Brick · Spire · Crenellated
Photographed
19/03/2004

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Exterior 3 photos

St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Exterior 1: The church seen here today was completed in 1614. It was built by Sir William Smith, and was consecrated by John King, Bishop of London. Sir William's uncle, Sir Thomas Smith, was in the process of re-building Hill Hall when he died in 1577. His monument is housed on the north side of the chancel, having been moved from the previous church that stood on the site, which was destroyed by lightning in 1611. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Exterior 2 St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Exterior 3: The W tower has diagonal buttresses and battlements, and low spire. The W window has intersected tracery. The tower has a Dutch style staircase.

Interior 1 photo

St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Interior 1: The full view East from the back of the church. The feeling one gets from walking into this church is incredible. Its array of monuments is immense, and gives a great sense of completeness.

Stained Glass 1 photo

St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Stained Glass 1: The East window, depicting St Michael's war in heaven against Lucifer, the rebel Archangel - afterwards called Satan, was given in memory of Major Charles Hunter and his wife. It has recently been restored, to prevent damage due to bending lead fittings.

Hatchment 8 photos

St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Hatchment 1: This hatchment was for Anne Hedges d. 1719, who was the first wife of Sir Edward Smyth, 3rd Bt. Although rather faded, the left-hand side of the hatchment appears to have been white when it was created, showing that Anne was survived by her husband. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Hatchment 2: This is the hatchment created for the funeral of Sir Edward Smyth d.1744, 3rd Bt. Survived by his second wife, as depicted by the right-hand shield. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Hatchment 3: This hatchment is for Elizabeth Wood d.1748, 2nd wife of Sir Edward Smyth 3rd Bt. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Hatchment 4: This is the hatchment of Sir William Smyth 6th Bt, who died 1777. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Hatchment 5: This is the hatchment of Abigail, wife of Sir William Smyth, 6th Bt. She died 1787. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Hatchment 6: This is the hatchment of Anne Bowyer, wife of Sir William Smijth, 7th Bt. She died 1815, and was survived by her husband. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Hatchment 7: This is the hatchment of Sir William Smijth, 7th Bt., who died 1823. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Hatchment 8: This hatchment belongs to Sir Thomas Smijth, 9th Bt, who died 1838.

Monument 14 photos

St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 1: Monument to Thomas Smith d.1577. This monument was moved from the old church. Sir Thomas is depicted 'stiffly' reclining, head propped up on elbow. There is a shallow coffered arch behind the figure, flanked by two Ionic columns, with an entablature carrying two black obelisks and the large achievement shown above. The inscription within the arched recess reads thus: Thomas Smithus Eques auratus huius Maneriu DNS, cum Regis Edvardi sexti tum Elizabatha Regina Consiliarius, ac frimi nominis Secretarius eorundemq, Principum ad maximos Reges legatus Nobiliss ordinis Garterii Cancellarius, Ardae Australisque Claneboy in Hibernia Colonellus, Iuris civilis supremo titulo etiam num Adolescens insignitus Orator, Mathematicus, Philosophus, excellentiss (vs) Linguarum Latinae, Grecae, Hebraicae, Gallicae etiam et italica callentiss (vs) Proborum et ingeniosorum hominum favtor alieniss Deniq sapientia, pietate, integritate insignis et in omni vita sev aeger sev valens intrepidus more, cum aetatis svae 05m annum compleuisset in aedibus suis Montaulensibus 12o die Augusti, Ao Salutis 1577 pie et suauiter in Domino obdormiuit St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 2: This second image of the panelled altar tomb of Sir Thomas Smith shows his Achievement at the top of the tomb. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 3: This standing wall-monument depicts Sir William Smith d.1626 (builder of the church) and his wife, Bridget. Sir William is slightly higher than, and behind, his wife. To the pious memorie of her loved and loving husband Sr William Smyth of Hill Hall in the County of Essex knight who till he was xxx yeares old followeed the warres in Ireland with such aprobation that he was chosen one of the Colonels of the Army. But his uncle Sr Thom. Smyth Chancellor of the Garter & Principall Secretary of State to two princes King Edward the sixt & the late Queene Elizabeth of famous memorie dying he returned to a faire & full inhaeritance, and so bent himselfe to the afaires of the countret that he grewe alike famous in the artes of peace as warre. All offices that sorted with a man of his quality ge right worshipfully performed and dyed one of the Deputy Lieutenants of the Shire. A place of no smalle trust and credit. Bridget (his unfortunate widow who during the space of XXXVII yeares bare him III sonnes and IIII daughters) daughter of Thomas Fleetwood of the Vache in the County of Buckingham Esq and sometimes Mr of the Mint to allay her languor and longing after so deare a companion of her life rather to expresse her affection than his merit this monument erected destinating the same to herself theire children and posteritie he lived years LXXVI dyed the XII day of December 1626. The arched recess and background are very similar to the monument to his father ... St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 4: ... at the bottom, however, are seven kneeling figures of Sir William's children, three sons ... St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 5: ... and four daughters. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 6: Monument to Sir William Smith d.1631, son of Sir William Smith who built the church. He survived his father by just five years. Here lyeth the body of Sr William Smith Knight sonne of Sr William Smith of Theydon Mount in the Countie of Essex wher after manie sweet expressions of his confidence in the mercies of his Saviour in the two and thirtieth yeare of his age peaceably slept in our Lord Jesus He had two wives. The first, Heleglnwagh [Heliganrith?] the daughter of the right honourable Edward Viscount Conway. By her he had only one sonne and heire Edward and two daughters. The second, Anne descended of the auntient [ancient?] family of Croft in Herefordshire as yet living who as a testimonie of her loyall affection erected this to the memorie of her deare consort deceased on the 5th of March 1631. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 7: The final large monument in the church is to Sir Thomas Smith d.1668, the son of Sir William Smith d.1631. Of black and white marble, with no super-structure. To each side of the inscription can be seen thick angle volutes ending in cherubs' heads. Here lyeth y body of Sr Thomas Smith of Hill Hall in the County of Essex Baronet (Son of Sr William Smith of y same place Knt) He had two wives. Y first Joanna (the daughter of Sr Edward Altham of this County) by her he had Eleven Sons & two Daughters where of nine Sons are yet living. She died July 14th 1658. The second Beatruce (Daughter of y Right Honble Francis Viscount of Valentia) who died March 26, 1668 After he had lived 66 years with great reputation for Loyalty to his Prince & Conformity to the Church of England in Apostate times and served his King & Country in Chiefest places of trust and credit in the County, peaceably departed this life in our Lord Jesus This Monument as a testimony of the true affection of his son Sr Edward Smith Baronet was erected to the memory of his deare Father deceased on the 5th of May 1668 St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 8: Near this place lies interred Sr EDWARD SMYTH Baronet of Hill Hall in this Parish Son of Sr EDWARD SMYTH and JANE Daughter of PETER VANDEPUT Esqr Whom His Contemporaries well knew to be a man of Integrity, strict Justice and good Morals, to be a lover of Virtue and Religion and to have resolution enough to practice them: And Whose true character posterity may from this Inscription understand and learn to Imitate. He had two Wives. The first ANN, Daughter of the Right Honourable Sr CHARLES HEDGES Secretary of State, by whom he had five Sons, four of which and an only Daughter are now living: This Lady dying Octbr 18th 1719, He afterward Married ELIZABETH Daugther of JOHN WOOD of LONDON Esqr., who having survivied him, As a testimony of her great and constant Affection, has caused this Monument to be Erected to the Memory of her dear and worthy Husband, who died on the 16th of August 1744 in the 59th Year of his Age ELIZth, his Second LADY Died 23 of May 1748 Aged 57 St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 9: IN MEMORY OF Sr EDWARD SMYTH Barr Who died the 4th of March 1760 Aged 30 Years; AND OF ELIZABETH the Daughter and Heiress of THOMAS JOHNSON of Milton Bryant in Bedfordshire esqr HIS LADY Who died the 22nd of June 1770 Aged 34 Years; This Monument is Erected by his next Brother Sr CHARLES SMYTH Barr St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 10: In Memory of Sr CHARLES SMYTH of Hill Hall In this County Baronet who Died March the 24th 1773 AEtat 61. this Monument is Erected By his Nephew Sr William Smyth Bart St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 11: Sir Wm. OB 26th JANry 1777 AEtat 57 Near this Place lie Interr'd the Remains of the Revd Sr William Smyth Bart. Rector of this and Stapleford Tawney Parish, more than twenty two Years. He was a Student of Trinity Hall in Cambridge, And admitted to the Degree of L.L.B. in that University. He was the fifth Son of Sr Edward Smyth Bart. of Hill Hall to whose Title and Estates he Succeeded after the decease of his Brothers, Sr Edward and Sr Charles who both Died without Isue male. He marryed Abigail, Daughter of ANDREW WOOD Esqr, four of whom (Sr William, Elizabeth, Charles & Richard) are still living to lament with their disconsolate Mother, the very heavy loss of so good an Husbandm Father and Friend to whose endearing Memory Lady Smyth hath caused this monument to be erected August 1777. Honeste vizit neminem laesit suum cuique tribuit, [???] go Reader and do likewise. ABIGAIL his lady died the 28th? of February 1787. Aged 71? St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 12: In memory of WILLIAM SMYTH, ESQR. eldest son of Sir WIlliam and Lady Smyth, of Hill Hall in the county of Essex Late Cap. in His Majesty's 1st Regt of Foot Guards, who died March 16th 1803, Aged 23 Years. As a proof of their affection for the loss of one so much beloved they have caused this monument to be erected St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 13: In memory of Sir JOHN SMYTH Bart. Commander R.N. of Hill Hall in the county of Essex who died at Woodmanstone in the county of Surrey, on the 9th of Decr 1838, Aged 56 years. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Monument 14: Large Perpendicular Gothic tablet to Rev Sir Edward Bowyer Smith d.1850, by Osmond, Sarum. Sacred to the Memory of The Revd Sir Edward Bowyer Smijth. 10th Baronet of Hill Hall; and sometime Rector of this Church, with that of Stapleford Tawney. He was the fourth Son of Sir William Smijth, Baronet, and his Wife, Anne Windham. He married Laetitia Cicely, 6th daughter of John Weyland, Esquire, of Woodraton, Oxon, and Woodrising, Norfolk, by whom he had three sons and four daughters. He departed this life, respected and deeply lamented, on the 15th of August, 1850. Aged 65 Years. This Monument was erected by his Widow Dame Laetitia Cicily Bowyer Smijth. Also to the Memory of the above-named Dame Laetitia Cicely Bowyer Smijth. She died on the 3rd of March 1863, Aged 31 [???] "Into thy hands I commend my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me. Oh Lord, thou God of truth."

Miscellaneous 3 photos

St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Miscellaneous 1: Believe it or not, this is actually a font. It is unique, and is believed to have been brought back from Italy by Sir William Smith when the church was being built. It has a black marble basin on a pillar, and is surmounted by a carved face similar to faces on spouting fountains. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Miscellaneous 2 St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Miscellaneous 3

Postcard 2 photos

St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Postcard 1: This black and white photograph is on display in the church. The West Gallery was built in 1837, during a restoration by Sir Edward Smyth, the then rector. The gallery was installed for use by servants and musicians. It was, however, removed in 1929, as it was in grave danger of collapsing. Suspended from the roof are two 'Coronals' or 'Maiden's Crowns'. These represent an old custom of placing such a crown on the coffin of a girl who had been betrothed, but had died before her marriage. They are shaped like a crown and are covered with evergreen leaves. There were originally three of these crowns in the church. Today there is just one remaining, though this is currently undergoing preservation and restoration. More details on this restoration can be found by clicking here. St Michael, Theydon Mount Church – Postcard 2: Dated 1970. One of a series of photos purchased on ebay. Photographer unknown.

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