The Church of St Mary Magdalen, Billericay,
stands on the eastern side of the High Street, with Chapel Street
immediately behind it and the junction between the two on its northern
flank. As medieval Billericay grew in importance it gained a chantry
chapel around 1342. A new tower was added in 1490 when the rest of the
chapel was rebuilt in brick. The church was rebuilt again in the 1700s
with only the tower remaining unchanged, save the new archway being
added.
Billericay Gospel Hall, on the western
side of Chapel Street, opposite Chapel Mews, was built in 1906 by C
H Mill, soon after he had taken up residence next door. Smaller than
today it replaced an earlier house that had seen temporary chapel
use and which partially survives in the rear wall. It was frequently
packed out. Extended around 1910, Dr Shackleton took over in 1919,
renaming it the Undenominational Church. It later became
Billericay Evangelical Free Church.
One photo on this page kindly contributed by
Ken Porter of Basildon Borough Heritage Society, and one by David
Robarts via the 'History Files: Churches of the British Isles'
Flickr group.
