Not every Lord of the Manor (in this case Simon de Beaumont) can afford to build a castle, but a church with a round tower provided both a defensible structure (with slit windows) and a statement of piety. The church was built c.1140 and is one of only 6 churches with round towers in Essex. The tower was badly damaged by a lightning strike in 1767 and repaired with brick, timber and plaster - all neatly hidden by the rendering. The octagonal church spire with 'fairy-tale' dormer windows is an addition by Blomfield during restoration in 1865-9. Grade I listed.