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Hymns 'ancient and modern'

St.Clement's Church, West Thurrock, near Grays in Essex, has quite the oddest location - at the heart of the Proctor and Gamble site, in the middle of an industrial estate. Located off Hedley Road, the redundant church was renovated by P&G in 1987 and the churchyard is now a nature reserve.

 

If you are looking for it turn right off of Hedley Drive and follow the Proctor and Gamble signs. There is a footpath on the other side of the road to the riverside.

 

The aisle and side chapels are of 14th century date and the tower is 15th century. A guidebook tells me that St Clement's was unusual in once having a circular nave. Over the centuries of development the former chancel of the round church became the nave and a new chancel was added. Finally the circular nave was demolised and this tower was built.

 

Film note: this was one of the churches used in the Hugh Grant film 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'.

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Uploaded on March 3, 2006
Taken on January 15, 2000