THE remains of arguably the oldest Christian church in Britain, almost 1,700 years old, are in Colchester. But there is no mention of this on the signposts and maps in the town centre. As stated by me in a previous article, nor is there any reference to the Roman Chariot Circus which is the only one found in Britain.

Thus two of our potential most important attractions – of national and international significance – are ignored! Colchester’s Roman heritage is greater than anywhere else in our country…….yet it is not being highlighted to attract tourists to the First Capital of Roman Britain.

I ended last week’s “out and about” by stating that my annual New Year’s Day Walk (last Sunday) would include visiting the site of this church, but I teased by not saying where it was.

As my adjoining photograph confirms, it is on the grassed area next to the Police Station and Maldon Road roundabout. It was excavated more than 40 years ago when Southway was built.

The foundations date from AD:320 to AD:340, towards the end of the Roman era. The church would probably have been used for about 100 years.

It was to be another 200 years before Christianity returned to Essex in AD:653 when Cedd (later St Cedd) came ashore at Bradwell-on-Sea and built St Peter’s Chapel which still stands today. Regrettably, the Chelmsford Diocese cites this as when Christianity came to Essex whereas it was some 300 years earlier. It is time that Colchester promoted its case for being first.

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The rest of this week’s article features a few more snippets of Colchester historical interest.

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Colchester Infantry Camp, between Mersea Road and Military Road, was built in 1855. Towards the end of the 19th century the hutted camp was replaced with brick-built Hyderabad and Meeanee Barracks, which were themselves replaced in the late 1950s with new barracks (other than the fine buildings facing Mersea Road which were kept). Both barracks have now been demolished and re-developed with housing. The only survivor of the original camp is the former Garrison (or Camp) Church on the opposite side of Military Road, now a Russian Orthodox Church. This is the largest wooden church in Britain.

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The first Bishop of Colchester was appointed in 1882 when Essex was part of the Diocese of St Albans.

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Colchester’s tram system opened on 28th July 1904. The final tram journey was in 1929. The tram garage, later used for buses, stands empty in Magdalen Street awaiting demolition.

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Causton Road, off North Station Road, is named after Richard Knight Causton who was Liberal MP for Colchester from 1880 to 1885. Until 1933 it was known as Albert Road, but it was changed to avoid confusion with the adjoining Albert Street.

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When the current Town Hall opened in 1902 it also housed the Police Station (first doorway in West Stockwell Street) and Courts (second doorway). During the previous four years, between the demolition of the previous Town Hall and the new one opening, Police temporarily operated from the former St George’s Hall to the rear of where today is The Duchess Public House.

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In 1960 Colchester Borough Council paid £65,000 to buy 85-acres of land at Hazelton Farm, Greenstead, to develop as a housing estate.

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Colchester’s first Council Houses were officially opened on 17th February 1921 by the Mayoress of Colchester, Mrs A.J. Lucking. These are at Defoe Crescent, Mile End.

SIR BOB RUSSELL