St Peter & St Paul

It was rebuilt in the mid 10th century and the base of the tower probably dates from then. The chancel and nave were possibly rebuilt in 14th century. It is made up of ragstone, septaria, Roman and later brick with limestone dressing, brick and Roman tile.

It was at a spot only three miles across the Backwater Estuary at Bradwell on Sea that St Cedd founded a monastery around 654 AD and built the historic St Peter's chapel from the remains of the Roman fort of Othona. It is likely that Cedd and his monks came across to establish the first church at West Mersea.

In the 10th century, the Saxon Ealdorman Aelfgar and his daughters, Aethelflaed (widow of King Edmund) and Aelffaed (widow of Ealdorman Brythnoth), left property to St Peter's in their wills. By 1042 the Mersea estates had reverted to the Crown, and King Edward the Confessor granted them the Abbey of St Ouen at Rouen in Normandy. The Abbey founded a small Benedictine Priory here and the monks became Lords of the Manor.

The historic 11th century tower may well date from that time. There is considerable use of Roman tiles and brick, from the Roman villa which stood near here. Two small round headed windows and the tower arch are all that remain from that time.

The nave and chancel were probably built in the 14th century and a south aisle added, later extended to form a south chapel. In 1415, King Henry V suppressed alien religious houses, including the Priory, and granted its properties of West Mersea to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The timber roof of the chancel with arched and moulded trusses is early 16th century.

In 1833, the south porch was rebuilt as a porch and vestry, the north wall of the nave heightened in brick, buttressed and embattled, and the flat Georgian ceiling formed. Also the south arcade was rebuilt in brick and plaster. A west gallery had been erected in 1812, but removed in 1882 with other changes.

In the 20th century all the windows in the chancel were replaced with perpendicular style stone frames. In 1925 the south aisle roof was rebuilt, the wall plaster all removed, and the niche for a piscina uncovered. A new memorial window was installed in 2005 to commemorate the Fishermen and Oystermen of Mersea Island.