St Peter & St Paul Church, Horndon on the Hill

The church of St. Peter & St. Paul is the parish church for Horndon on the Hill and is part of the Parish of Horndon, Orsett and Bulphan.  It’s position at the highest point in the village makes it a prominent local landmark.

Visit the church

Open Church

Open Church is held every Tuesday and Saturday morning from 10am until noon and  the Church is open for private prayer. During these times we offer free tea or coffee and biscuits for visitors, in a relaxed and peaceful setting.

If anyone wishes to visit our church other than on Tuesday or Saturday mornings please contact one of the churchwardens.  We have had a number of groups visit the church over the years.

For details of services click here.

HORNDON ON THE HILL CHURCH: A BRIEF HISTORY

The church of St Peter and St Paul stands at the highest point of Horndon on the Hill. The walls are comprised of ragstone and flint-rubble, with some Roman and later brick; the dressings are of Reigate and other limestone; the roof is tiled. The Chancel, Nave and north and south Aisles were built early in the 13th century. Shortly afterwards a north chapel was added. In the 15th century the chancel was lengthened towards the east, the north Chapel, north Aisle and the west wall of the nave were largely re-built, and the south Porch and Bell-turret added. In the 17th century the walls of the north chapel and aisle were lowered and the main roof carried down over them.

The church was extensively restored in the late 19th and early 20th century. At this time artefacts and design from the in vogue Arts and Crafts movement were included, with elements designed by eminent English architect and designer Charles Robert (CR) Ashbee who was a prime mover of the Arts and Crafts Movement (inspired by Augustus Pugin, William Morris and John Ruskin) and constructed by the Guild and School of Handicraft in Poplar, set up by Ashbee.

PATRONAL FESTIVAL (and FEAST & FAYRE)

Our patronal festival is the last weekend in June to mark this we have a flower festival.  This coincides with the Horndon Feast and Fayre (originally established by Royal Charter in the late 13th Century) with the flower arrangements generally along the lines of the theme of the Feast and Fayre. The church is open over the whole weekend with refreshments served, displays, entertainment and fund raising stalls in the church grounds. The church is open on the Monday after the Feast and Fayre for people to come and view the flower displays.  The church and its grounds can provide a quiet respite from the hurly burly of the High Road.

The Feast and Fayre harks back to the late 13th Century when the village was granted a Royal Charter to hold such an event on the last weekend in June when entertainers and sellers of food and wares would congregate in the village . This ethos continues today with food and entertainment at the heart of event, plus supporting local businesses and raising money to help support local organisations.