A church has stood on this site since Saxon times. From the very earliest days, St Mary's has been a beacon, providing a point of reference for sailors coming up the Blackwater. Indeed, so important was the fourteenth century tower as an aid to navigation that, when it collapsed during the reign of James I, in 1605, a petition was sent to the king asking for its rebuilding. The work was undertaken and completed in 1638. Originally, a beacon burned from the top of the tower but this was replaced, in 1730, by the famous white shingle spire which we know today. In the twenty-first century the tower may not be quite so important in navigational affairs, but the view of St Mary's from the Blackwater is still the iconographic image which most people remember of Maldon.

Internally, the church keeps the floor-plan of the Norman church of 1130, with the addition of a nineteenth century south aisle. The outlines of the unusually large Norman chancel arch can still be seen and, at the west end of the north wall, an original Norman window exists. Internally, much of what one sees nowadays is thirteenth century. There is a fine fifteenth century window in the north wall and the remains of the mediaeval rood steps can be seen further along the same wall.

Between 1867 and 1886, substantial works were carried out in St Marys, including the restoration and re-ordering of the chancel, the addition of the south aisle and sacristy and, most significantly, the replacement of the roof, which now sits on massive Baltic timbers. This roof enhances St Mary's fine acoustics, making the church ideal for music.

Although the rood screen was lost at the reformation, a fine rood now occupies a dramatic position above the chancel arch. This was brought to St Mary's from a redundant church in East London.

In the twentieth century the church continued to be enhanced with the addition, in the south wall, of the fine millennium window, commemorating the battle of Maldon in 991 (the battle, incidentally, which probably saw the destruction of the original wooden church). At the western end of the south wall, a door now leads to the beautiful Octagon, which houses a meeting room and other facilities.

The twenty-first century has ushered in an exciting period of rebirth for St Mary's. Plans are under way for a major refurbishment of the building, taking in the tower, flooring, lighting and decoration. Perhaps most significantly, for future generations, a new pipe organ is to be built on the west wall of the church. This instrument will grace the church, aurally and visually, for many future centuries. Thus, the tradition of beautifying and maintaining an already beautiful church continues in a new millennium.

We invite you to visit our lovely church and discover all of the details mentioned above. Most of all, we invite you to come and sit a while. St Mary's is blessed with a rare peace and tranquillity, born of centuries of prayer. We wish you, too, peace and blessings during your visit.