Sacred Spaces

The lovely St Peter's Church sits quietly in the village of Paglesham in the Essex marshes.

It was restored back in 1883 by local man Zachary Pettitt who married the daughter of an oyster merchant. He took over the business and became a great benefactor to the village and surrounding area. 

The Pettitt family stained glass window

He left his mark on the church with a beautiful stained glass window, a poignant memory of several of his children who had died.

Rosemary Roberts, who was born in the village, has been researching the history of the Pettitt family. She and her husband Mark lived in the same house where Zachary and his bride Alice Ann Browning lived when they were first married.

It was there that Rosemary and Mark unearthed a number of historical artifacts including an old diary which has helped them piece together the history of the Pettitts.

The Village Hall in Paglesham which still stands today, and the Tin Tabernacle were also built by Zachary. In the 1890's he used some of his wealth to help people in Canewdon who were dying of starvation during the farming crisis.

The headstones of the Pettitt children

Zachary and Alice had 9 children, but sadly five of them died in childhood. Gravestones in the churchyard at St Peter's mark their deaths. The headstones show that one of the little ones, Alice, died at just 5 months old.

In memory of four of his five young children, Zachary created a beautiful stained glass window in the west wing of the church which you can still see today.

The window is now 125 years old and the tower which houses it is crumbling and in  need of renovation.

Mark and Rosemary Roberts have written a book called  "Paglesham Natives". looking at the loves the lives and labours of this Essex marshland village, and the proceeds of the book will go towards the preservation work. 

Mark and Rosemary have been telling BBC Essex's Ian Wyatt about the church. Click on the link below to hear more.

If you'd like to help the Friends of St Peter's with their restoration of the Zachary Pettitt memorial window, or if you'd like to get hold of a copy of Mark and Rosemary's book "Paglesham Natives", details are with the BBC Essex Helpline on 01245 348348.