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St Nicholas' Church - The Rectors since 1344.

The names of almost all of the rectors of St Nicholas' Church are known from 1344.

1344 William le Rous
1355 Roger de (Kirketon?) - He is recorded as a holder of land in the parish.
1372 Robert South
1373 Thomas Skenderby
1382 John Sibbell (Sybil) - Deeds record Sybil purchased and sold land in the parish.
1394 John Mimmes
1395 Abel Hesill (Hefill)
1395 John Stanton
N/K Thomas Hasely
1406 Robert Westrow
N/K John Symson
1430 John Smyth
1433 John Mayston
1433 Richard Rowdon
1447 Thomas Sollay
1464 Willaim Hebbenge
1464 Thomas Hervey
1664 Robert Botyll
1465 Sir John Brewhyrn - Recorded as one of the trustees of Kelvedon Hall manor and advowson when it was held in trust 1468/9.
N/K Robert Scorburgh
1495 Rad. Bolles (Ranhyn Bollys)
1511 Sir Peter Carr
1547 John Baker - Throughout this period, John Baker remained at the benefice. On the ascension of Elizabeth I to the throne of England, the Settlement of 1559 restored the 2nd Edwardian Prayer Book, Edwardian Vestments and the Oath of Supremacy. The restoration of these Protestant doctrines was to challenge Baker's beliefs. He declined to accept any of them. Upon the visitation of the Bishop of London he, along with almost 300 clergy nationally, were deprived of their benefices. Baker was to die in 1562.
1559 William Breton
1566 Lod Hughes - Other deeds and documents show the name as Lewis Buies, Hueis or Bener.
1605 John Lancaster - In 1605, the Lord of the Manor, John Wright, converted to catholicism which meant the patronage of the benefice passed into the hands of a patron who was not living in the parish. Lancaster was the first to be presented by an outside patron.
1607 Stephen Withers (Wythers)- For the story of his life visit The Civil War pages.
1643 George Robert Bettes
1645 George Bound
1655 Unknown
1661/2 Charles Cullen
1671 John Westwood
1731 Charles Wragg
1758 Richard Griffenhoeff
1760 John Cookson
1798 Ambrose Searle

St.Nicholas's Church late 19th Century

1832 John Banister
1870 Samuel Slocock - Edward Slocock, a gentleman and brewer of Chelsea, London, had purchased the advowson in 1861, obviously with a view to presenting his son with a benefice for the future. However, he died before he could present his son and Samuel inherited it.The advowson was apparently viewed as an important investment in social standing and status for between 1842 and 1889 it rose in price from £1,510 to £ 3,450.
1889 David Peregrine - obviously full of enthusiasm for his role as rector. He was one of the more evangelical clergy who came to the fore front in the Church of England during the late Victorian period in response to concern over social conditions, the poor and education. He was the prime mover in promoting the building of a new church of St Nicholas' within the growing village of Kelvedon Hatch.
1905 Laurence Rayner Tuttiett
1905 William Samuel Mavor
1927 William Tirrell
1961 William Orme
1968 Kenneth Hay
1973 John Fleetwood
1979 Geoffrey Kemp
1986 John Brown
1994 Rob Rose