St. Mary's and All Saints church was built in 1877. It was built to replace a much earlier church called St. Mary and All Saints,
located closeby in Old Church Hill. That church, which now falls within the Thurrock Borough, despite having undergone a
restoration in 1841, was considered unsuitable by the then rector Rev. Easeby Digby Cleaver, who is said to have financed the
cost of the new church from his own funds. The old church later became a private residence in the mid 1970s having once again
fallen into a poor condition which eventually rendered it redundant in October 1971.
The church was formally consecrated by the Bishop of St. Albans; Thomas Legh Claughton, with the Ven. Archdeacon of
Essex; The Venerable Carew Antony St John-Mildmay also in attendance.
The new church, situated at the summit of Crown Hill in High Road, was far more accessible for what turned out to be a growing
local population following the opening of the 'direct' rail route between Barking and Pitsea in 1888, which included a new station to
serve Laindon.
During 1972 the bells remained silent following a survey of the tower which revealed the need for expensive restoration
work. The Rector at the time, Rev. David Cook, organised a 'tower restoration fund' to raise £5,000 towards the cost of the repair
work. This was eventually achieved and the bells were once again ringing out over the surrounding area.
The church, which remains a prominent feature of the local landscape, is now a Grade II listed building.
The following extract is taken from the 1894 edition of Kelly's Directory of Essex.
The parish church of the same name, built in 1877, on the top of the hill, is an edifice of Kentish ragstone with Bath stone
dressings, in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave, north aisle, divided from the nave by an arcade of three bays,
south porch and a massive western tower containing 6 bells: the east Window and two others are stained: there are 230
sittings. The register of baptisms and burials dates from 1686; marriages, 1690. The directory of 1914 is identical to that
of 1894.
Notes:
1) The church received listed status on 20th July 1995. | 
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