Now the parish church of Stanway after a long period of virtual neglect and service as a chapel of ease to All Saints. Prior to this it was apparently an independent parish, known as little Stanway - ante 1366. The church now comprises a nave of Saxon or Saxo-Norman date. The arcade between the chancel and and the chapel is late C15 and was brought from St Runwalds Church, Colchester, at the time of its demolition. It is uncertain whether there ever was a separate chancel at the east end or whether the building was always single celled, ie as it was prior to 1826. Inspection of the west wall shows that a west tower or porch has been removed, which was entered through a tall narrow archway from the nave. <1> C12 and later, extensively altered c.1880. The nave is early C12 and retains part of the original roof with scissor bracing and notched lap joists. C12 windows in the north wall, both single light with Roman brick jambs and round stone head. Also mid C14 and C15 window. The south wall has a C12 window and C12 doorway with round arch of Roman brick. West wall has Roman brick quoins and a much restored C14 window with restored C12 windows above. North porch is C15 with four braced crown post on cambered tie beam. <2> THe nave was built early in the C12 and in the C15 the east part of the present nave, then forming the chancel, was built. The chancel is modern but reset in the south wall is a late C15 or early C16 arcade of two bays with four-centred arches of two moulded orders. The south chapel is modern but the east wall contains a reset, partly restored C15 window. The north wall of the nave contains four windows, one C15, two single C12 lights and one of mid C14. Between the two eastern windows is the late C15 or early C16 upper doorway to the rood loft staircase. Below the westernmost window is the C15 doorway. South wall has a C12 and C14 window and C12 south doorway with plain jambs and round arch of Roman brick. C14 window in the west wall. The south aisle is C19 but contains a much restored C15 window. Fittings include a coped slab (coffin lid) with large formy cross of early C13 date, a C15 font, C15 piscina and painting on the piers of the south arcade. <3> Other ref. <4>

Site Assessment = Little of the original building survives and that is substantially restored. There are no current threats but it is of great importance that should any arise they be preceeded by adequate archaeological investigation. <1>