Geology Site Account

Site name: St. Johns Church, Great Clacton

Grid reference: TM 1770 1652

Brief description of site:

Building of interest for the stonework, which is of local origin.

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Site description

The church of St.John the Baptist at Great Clacton is a local landmark with a short, pyramidal spire. The building has Norman origins and is notable because it is constructed almost entirely from septarian nodules, or septaria from the London Clay. These nodules were no doubt collected locally from the foreshore and are one of the few building stones native to Essex. Several churches in the Tendring district are constructed wholly or partly of septaria but this is a fine example in an urban area.

St.Johns Church, Great Bentley is built almost entirely from septarian nodules, one of the few building stones native to Essex. Photo © G. Lucy.