St Andrew’s church

Well, when something promotes itself as the ‘best,’ ‘oldest,’ ‘biggest,’ etc. in the world. Then I have to go visit. My husband and I took a Sunday drive to Ongar to check out the old-​fashioned railway and stumbled upon this place.
From Ongar, you can walk to Greenstead (St Andrew’s Church) in about half an hour. It’s quite a nice walk and is located down the hill from Sainsburys. The path can be a bit muddy during the Spring so take proper shoes. I had poor choices in shoes that day, but still managed okay. The path takes you through the woods and past horse pastures before bring you to the church. Arriving this way was truly magical as I felt like I had stepped into a story book.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the oldest wooden church in the world, but this place is beautiful. We didnt stay long and I didnt dare go inside with such muddy shoes, but it was very nice to see the church. For a foreigner, this was a very classic English experience.
I now plan to bring my mum here. Combined with afternoon tea at the Mulberry House this will be a very classic English day!
If you are in the area, then I definitely recommend that you come for a visit!

Also known as Greensted church, this unassuming spot is both rustic and charming — you might almost expect Hansel and Gretel to walk in at any moment — but is also historically very important. The nave walls are built of upright, halved wooden logs — for here is Europe’s oldest wooden building still standing, and the oldest wooden church in the world.
History
The history of the site dates back around 1300 years: the land of the East Saxons — now Essex — was evangelised By Saint Cedd in 654AD, who was based at nearby Bradwell on the Essex coast. Remains have been found under the present church of a wooden building dating from the late sixth or seventh century, which may have been a sanctuary used by the early missionaries. The dedication to St Andrew also suggests a Celtic foundation.
The present nave was erected around 1060AD; the logs have been dated by dendrochronology (ie by tree-​rings) to around this period. It was originally dated to some 200 years earlier, but even with this date its status as Europe’s oldest standing wooden building and the world’s oldest wooden church remains.
The original church was probably thatched, and without windows. The Normans built a chancel, although all that remains now are the footings and a pillar piscina. The present brick chancel was erected around 1500, and at the same time the handsome chancel arch inserted and roofs rebuilt and tiled.
The date of the tower is uncertain, but it may have been added in the 17^th century — one of the bells is dated 1618. The east wall of the chancel was rebuilt in the Victorian period and the roof and walls also repaired.
An interesting piece of history is that some of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, after they were pardoned, were settled in Greensted on their return, and one of them, James Brine, was married here in 1839.
The church
The church now is about as picturesque as it is possible to get: the porch leads straight into the Saxon nave, passing a 12^th century Crusader tomb just outside on your right. It is the UK’s only log church.
Inside, the nave is incredibly dark, despite the insertion of dormer windows. The nave still has its box pews. The chancel is somewhat brighter, and whitewashed.
The church has some interesting fittings: the pulpit was donated in 1698 by Alexander Cleeve, and in the chancel are the Norman piscina and a memorial to Jone Wood, dated 1585. The eagle lectern is an impressive bit of Victoriana. Most of the glass is also Victorian, save a small but well preserved piece of 15^th century glass in the quatrefoil window in the west wall.
The rear of the church has all sorts of items for sale to help fundraising, from the usual postcards and guides to a wide selection of country jams and other sweet treats.
Practicalities
The directions given the the review by ‘the xyone’ are spot on — the walk should take 15 – 20 minutes from Chipping Ongar. If you drive there, there is parking for a dozen cars, including a space for disabled visitors, although the narrowness of the aisle in the church will probably make it difficult to use a wheelchair.

Known as the Log Church this is the oldest wooden church in Britain. Don’t try and find it by it’s postcode, get the Explorer 183 OS map, OS grid reference TL537030. The best way to get to it is drive to Chipping Ongar and park in Sainsbury’s car park, parking is free on Sundays. Take the Essex Way from behind there, it’s less than a mile walk.
The church cute and little and nice to be in on a winters day, and for somewhere that was built in the mid 9^th century is a marvelous bit of history.
Now I’m not a big church fan but this place is lovely and I think you should put some money in the collection box.
Either go back the way you came or continue on the Essex Way till just before Widow’s Farm and make it a circular walk of 3 – 4 miles.