Ernest Geldart, rector from 1881 - 1900, is responsible for the idiosyncratic internal church decor. He trained as an architect before taking orders, and was a proficient artist. He provided paintings for several other Essex churches. He believed that "God's house ought to be the finest.... and.... most beautiful house in the parish". To this end, virtually every surface within the church has been covered with stencil work, pictures, and texts. His work was not universally liked at the time, partly because the physical decorative changes were accompanied by liturgical changes incorporating candles, incense, processions and so on, which some people thought were popish. Letters were written to the papers and there were even threats of prosecution. But eventually his changes were accepted, and the congregation increased. For an interactive 360º panorama of the stunning interior see: Little Braxted - St Nicholas (Google photosphere)