Extract from: Essex Review, Volumes 1–3

Published in 1892

Pages 261- 262

Frinton – on – Sea Church . – Frinton Church , in Essex , is one of the smallest
in England . It has sometimes been asserted that it is the smallest of all , but
this would appear not to be the case . Mr. G. Byng Gattie , of Hastings , writing
in The Building News , says that the smallest church in the country is that of
Lullington , a parish in the Eastbourne Union , lying under the shelter of the
great Sussex Downs .

The dimensions of the edifice are : -From east to west ,
16 ft . 6 in .; from north to south , 16 ít .

The patronage of the living is vested in
the Crown , the value about 60 or £ 70 per annum ; the population is believed to
be under twenty , and at the usual fortnightly Sunday service the attendance is
somewhat less .

The appearance of this communication led us to write to the Rev. T. II . Cook , rector of Frinton , asking him for some particulars about his
church , and he has responded in the following most interesting letter :

The Rectory , Frinton – on – Sea , Colchester ,
19th Sept. , 1893 .

Dear Sir , In reply to your letter of yesterday , the length of Frinton Church
nave is 25 ft .; width , 184 ft .; from wall plate to floor , 11 ft . 4 in .: from ridge to
floor , 23 ft . 6 in .

Up to about 12 cr 14 years ago the nave was three feet
shorter than it is now , and I have understood that a ceiling extended from the
wall plates . Then the roof was rebuilt and a pretty chancel was added , 13 ft . by
11 ft .

It is said that the chancel existing in the last century was blown down
in the latter part of it .

Our population is small , but increasing ; and I should
say we have double the number of residents in the season to those who live here
out of it . By residents , I mean people who own or hire houses here all the year
round , but who come to us only from time to time .

In fact , we cannot at such
times accommodate more than half of those who would come to church . We
are , therefore , making an effort to double the length of our nave , which will
make the proportions better , and increase the accommodation .

I hear that a
report has got into some Essex paper that a lady has offered to find the sum
required for this . This is not true , and is calculated to hinder us , in stopping the
flow of contributions , which are much needed .

– Yours faithfully , T. H. COOK .

We quote the subjoined from the People’s History of Essex : ” Of Frinton church
upon the cliffs a storm in 1703 left only a wreck of the west end , with accommo
dation for about a dozen worshippers . ” – Essex County Chronicle , Sept. 22 , 1893 .