St. Nicholas Church (Canewdon)
St. Nicholas Church is the parish church of the marshland village of Canewdon in Essex, on a hill above the River Crouch.
It has a massive tower, rising to a height of 75 feet, and was built to celebrate the English victory at Agincourt. Over the centuries it has been used as a lighthouse to guide shipping around the complex of islands between here and the sea.
Much of the church dates from the 14th century.
There are massive timber doors and beams in the roof, and an elegant Georgian carved wooden pulpit.
Local legend, in this village long associated with witchcraft, asserts that while the church tower stands there will be seven witches in Canewdon, one of whom will be the wife of the vicar. For a long period in the 20th century, the incumbent was an elderly bachelor.