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Willingale One Name Study
Willingale Family Tree
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Notes:
For many centuries a church had stood at the summit of Pitsea Mount. The church of St. Michael's was last rebuilt in 1870 though all that remains now is the tower, which is believed to date from the 16th century.
A new modern church called St. Gabriel's was constructed in Rectory Road and opened in 1964.
Around the mid 1900s the general condition of the church had shown signs of structural defects and fears over the future of the church were apparent as early as 1970, by which time the building had already become semi redundant, and it was hoped that the planned Pitsea Mount development might secure the future of the church.
It was during these times that the final wedding is believed to have taken place on 24th May 1975 and involved the consent of the Bishop of Chelmsford. Rev. Aubrey Ridge, the then vicar, conducted the service and hymns were sung accompanied by the sound of the churches' harmonium.
Although the housing development went ahead it didn't prevent the church from permanent closure with the final service taking place in 1983. It then stood empty and fenced off for many years, with the main structure and tower suffering due to maintenance costs and vandalism.
In July 1983 a planned scheme by the Basildon leisure and recreation committee to convert the redundant building to a local history museum and viewing tower for the Wat Tyler Country Park failed to materialise. The local council would have taken control had the venture succeeded.
During the 1990s the communications company, Orange, took an interest in the tower as a potential site for a mobile phone mast; which has since been realised, thereby ensuring the future of the tower. The main structure though, consisting of the nave and chancel, was causing concern, and considered a danger, so following a period of consultation a decision was taken to dismantle it, which then went ahead in 1998. Restoration, though highly unlikely, is not impossible as much was saved and put into storage.
The churchyard contains many graves and is open to the public at all times.
A concrete outline of the former church remains, and there is seating where fine views can still be enjoyed.  Church Parish or Cemetery : Latitude: 51.562082398892635, Longitude: 0.5067014694213867
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