In her latest feature Susan Yates, the chair of Thurrock Local History Society, puts the spotlight on a local landmark.

ST Clement was the third bishop of Rome and is the patron saint of those who go down to the sea in ships. 

It is said that he was banished to the mines of Crimea by Emperor Trajan. It is not surprising therefore that this little church built in the Early 12th century down by the River Thames in West Thurrock bears his name as it was from here that many of the pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury would take the ferry across to Greenhithe. 

Nowadays it is probably more famous as the location of the funeral of Gareth, played by Simon Callow, in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral. Interestingly the mourners at the funeral were members of Thurrock Local History Society.

In the early 13th Century the chancel was widened by the addition of the north and south aisles. Later that century the chancel was extended eastward and by the end of the century the chancel was extended further east and widened with the addition of the north and south chapels. 

It wasn't until the late 15th Century that the round nave was replaced by the tower we see today. 

Prosperity in the county saw this happening at many of the churches in Essex at this time.

On my most recent visit I was fortunate enough to meet David Mathews who keeps the grass down in the graveyard and he told me some of the stories associated with the church. 

Captain Nathaniel Grantham of High House was a sailor and it is alleged died on 17th November 1723 whilst at sea but wanted to be interred at West Thurrock.

In order to fulfil the Captain's last request his body would have to be preserved so it is possible that rum was used. Fast forward now to 1906 and the Rev Hayes, a noted local historian, noticed the end wall of the church sounded hollow. He made a hole and found two tiers of damaged coffins. 

He removed the lid of one them and found Captain Grantham wrapped in what he thought was silk, but was most likely linen, and preserved in a red liquid. This was the story Rev. Hayes told Herbert Brookes some 20 years later. 

In his letter to Brookes of 30th March 1926 he said the Captain was perfectly preserved and a fine looking fellow with a big nose. Brookes replied on 31st March 1926 "Your story about the commander is good. If the distiller of that rum only saw it he would instantly demand a testimonial to the wonderfully preservative effects of his product. 'Swim in my magnificent rum and you will last forever'."  

I was also shown the three giants' graves against the east wall of the churchyard, pictured above. 

There are no giants buried here they belong to members of the Cornwell family but these three stones are much taller than any others in the churchyard and this probably gave rise to the name.

Another famous grave is that of Robert Lee who was the master of the Ship public house. In October 1803 his wife bought him a pistol for his birthday. Shortly thereafter he died from a gunshot wound in the back! His gravestone sadly no longer legible stands near the south east corner of the church.

This quiet little church now under the guardianship of Proctor and Gamble has a mine of stories from the Holfords, whose effigies lie inside the church, to ghosts who haunt the graveyard and is well worth a visit.