WENNINGTON

Wennington, Essex, a village on the road to Grays, midway (2 miles) between the Rainham and Purfleet Stations of the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway, and 14 miles from London by road. Population 199. Inn: Lennard Arms.

The village lies along the low upland which overlooks the marshes bordering the Thames. Wennington Marsh runs out 2 miles from the village, forming what is known as Great Coalharbour Point, directly opposite Erith. The occupations are agricultural, and there is a small india rubber factory. Large quantities of peas are grown for the London market. There are no resident gentry. Wennington Hall, the old manor house, on the Rainham side of the village, is now a farmhouse.

The Church (St. Mary the Virgin and St. Peter) is a venerable looking structure, comprising nave and north aisle, chancel, and tall weather-beaten west spire. The staple of the fabric is Early English, but it has been much altered. The chancel is of transition character; a small door on the south has the circular arch and dog-tooth moulding. The chancel arch and windows are Early English.

[Handbook to The Environs of London : James Thorne 1876]

St Mary and St. Peter's Church
From an original photograph by Bill Cronkrite

Church Records:

• St. Mary and St. Peter, Wennington Rd
  Baptisms 1654-1981,
  Marriages 1654-1984,
  Burials 1654-1982 : ERO
  Monumental Inscriptions : EoLFHS Publications