All Saints, Chingford

[2] The first mention of the church was in 1181 when the advowson (the right to nominate the parish priest) was given to the local lord of the manor, although between 1207 and 1308, that right was held by the Knights Templars.

[3] In 1644, the rector, John Russell, was dismissed for "cursing, swearing, and gaming", but was reinstated in 1660 and remained in the parish until his death 28 years later.

An estate in Chingford called Scotts Mayhews or Brindwoods was held by the church and a ground rent of £24 was payable annually by the owner to the rector.

This gave it a picturesque appearance popular with artists;[3] perhaps the best known depiction of All Saints being Home from Sea by Arthur Hughes, which was painted in 1856 and is now at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

New building in the area meant that there was a need for chapel of ease and in 1930, a restoration was completed reusing much of the old material, with the aid of a donation of £6,000 from Miss Louisa Heathcote.

All Saints, Chingford, viewed from the south.
An early 19th century view of All Saints, showing the ivy which led to it being known as the "green church".
Home from Sea by Arthur Hughes was painted in the summer of 1856 in the churchyard at All Saints, Chingford.