Ruins of a church which consisted of a nave and west tower with chancel and north aisle, probably late C14. The chancel and north aisle no longer exist. The bell chamber may be slightly later. The church was restored in the early C17 but fell into disuse, probably in the later C17. <1> Formerly the parish church. The walls are of pebble and ragstone rubble with a large admixture of tiles and brick. The chancel has entirely disappeared except for the late C14 chancel arch, now blocked. The nave has a late C14 arcade of three bays; there are two windows in the south wall, one of the C14 restored with C17 brick. The west tower of three stages is also C14. <2> The ruin comprises a C14 nave and west tower the stone vaulting in which is notable for Essex. The church fell into ruin but was restored for a short period in the C17. It formerly had a north aisle and chancel of unknown plan. Morant mentions two aisles but he is almost certainly mistaken. There was a church at Great Stanway prior to the C14 and it is probable that the fabric embodies earlier work. <3> Other ref. <4> <5> <6>
A survey of All Saints church by rectified photography, measured scale drawing and fabric analysis has established that in its earliest recognisable phase, late 13th century, the church was a simple two-celled structure comprising a nave and chancel. In the latter part of the 14th century the nave reportedly partially collapsed and was subsequently rebuilt. The church was enlarged in the early 15th century with the addition of an arcade and north aisle, and the construction of a largely brick-built tower at the west end. During the early 17th century the building was considerably altered with the complete removal of both the chancel and north aisle, the blocking of the arcade and the chancel arch and the addition of the north porch. The reduction in size of the building during this period occurred when the church was no longer in use as a parish church, but became a private chapel for the use of the Swinerton family who acquired Stanway Hall in 1601. No building activity, other than modern consolidation, occurred after the early 17th century rebuilding. The church was desecrated during the Civil war when all its lead and timber were sold and finally fell into ruin during the late 17th amd earlier part of the 18th century. <9> Site scheduled May 2001. <10> Photo ref. <13>

Site Assessment: The ruins stand in the grounds of Colchester Zoo. Recommended for scheduling. <1> Ruined and now in a very poor state; it is in urgent need of conservation. Careful archaeological investigation should be undertaken first in order to record the fabric in its unrestored state. <3>
Building recording Survey by rectified photography, measured scale drawing and fabric analysis, dated to 13th C and later alterations. <11> <12>