Mistley Towers

[1] The original Georgian parish church on the site had been built in classical style early in the 18th century following the death of Richard Rigby Esquire.

Later in that century there was a grandiose plan by his son, the wealthy politician Richard Rigby, to transform Mistley Thorn into a spa town.

His design was in the neoclassical style, with a tower at both the east and the west ends of the church, and full height porticos to the north and south of the nave.

At ground floor level two unfluted ionic columns at each corner support a decorative cornice.

The design of the towers creates the impression that the building was once more of a miniature cathedral than a parish church.