St Michael and All Angels Church, Copford

The church is widely recognized for its outstanding collection of 12th-century Norman wall paintings, use of Roman brick and rare semi-circular Romanesque apse.

A remodeling of the church in the early 15th century replaced the original barrel vaulted nave with the current timber structure.

[8] A round-headed window opening built from Roman bricks can be found on the west wall, which possibly provided access to an external balcony used for a pulpit or for relics display.

[4] The vaulted apse is decorated with a variety of religious themed wall paintings depicting Christ in a mandala surrounded by angels and apostles.

During the Middle Ages, the bishops would use Copford manor as a center to manage the diocese and often would perform ordinations here.

[7] The ownership of the estate, which later became known as Copford Hall, continued with the diocese until 1559, when Bishop Edmund Bonner was ordered to resign after the succession of Elizabeth I.