On a wet and windy walk along Maldon High Street this summer, you may spot something unusual on top of All Saints' Church: a uniquely hexagonal spire.

The church's triangular mid-13th century tower supports three spirelets along with the hexagonal spire, from which project a 15th century canopy and Sanctus Bell.

All Saints' tower is the oldest part of the existing church. The Nave was rebuilt in 1728, at the expense of the North Aisle.

However, an excavation in the mid-20th century revealed it contains re-used 13th century stones. This is further supported by the charter of Richard I (1159) which proves the existence of an earlier Norman church.

The Sanctus Bell is inscribed: "Fynn Ricardus et Sueyn Johannes". Richard Fynn was the vicar at All Saints' circa 1390.

A view of the bell tower at All Saints' from the inside. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

The tower's original three bells were replaced by six in 1699, and the Octave was completed by the addition of two more in 1922. To date, the triangular belfry houses eight bells.

An inscription on the six older bells reads:

"When first this steeple three did hold,

"They were the emblems of a scold:

"No music then but now shall see

"What pleasant music six shall be."

The reason for the tower's triangular shape is said to be because it had to fit between the pre-1728 version of the nave and the old fish market in Silver Street. Suggestion has also been made that the tower could be emblematic of the Holy Trinity. However, there is no evidence at the church to confirm either theory.

To this day, All Saints' Church also houses a large pair of wooden doors built by local timber merchant John Sadd & Sons.

Sources:

• The Parish Church of All Saints with St Peter – A Brief Guide
• Essex Views
• Visit Maldon

Read more

• Historic Maldon: Memories of Buntings butchers – a High Street icon for 140 years
• HISTORIC MALDON: The Embassy Cinema - a look back at Maldon's much-missed picture house
• HISTORIC MALDON: A closer look at the Battle of Maldon