GRAVES containing the intact remains of thirteen 11th Century Normans were found underneath pews at a 1,000-year-old civic church.

St Mary’s Church in East Street, Prittlewell, is believed to be the biggest and oldest church in the whole Southend borough and underwent £70,000 works to remove pews last year. 

However, during the work a series of “ancient treasures” were uncovered, including the 13 intact burials, fossils and Roman tiles. 

Echo: Intact burials were found underneath the church floor.Intact burials were found underneath the church floor. (Image: Paul Mackay)

Parish vicar Revd Paul Mackay said: “I know the building is 1,000 years old, but these discoveries make you feel more connected with the people who worshipped here long before you did.

“It’s quite something to be connected to that history.”

Echo: Fossils possibly dating back 300 million years were discovered.Fossils possibly dating back 300 million years were discovered. (Image: Gaz de Vere)

The oldest remains are said to pre-date the Norman foundations under which they were buried, making them at least 1,000 years old.

Along with the burials, archaeologists uncovered 300-million-year-old fossils, Roman tiles, more recent burials, and a child’s “Z Cars” badge from the 1960s.

Previously, space was very limited at the front of the church, reducing accessibility and affecting wheelchair-bound parishioners. Mr Mackay planned to remove the first six pews to make it more accessible.

However, the task was much more complicated than he had anticipated.

Echo: The ancient remains of 13 people were discovered.The ancient remains of 13 people were discovered. (Image: Paul Mackay)

Mr Mackay said: “I knew this was not something you could do in five minutes. But in my naivety, I thought the Victorians had cleared all the historic stuff out during major renovations the 1870s.

“But as soon as work started on the south side, we found human remains. Workmen found even more bodies while digging along the rest of the front. In total, they found 13 intact burials.”

Work was planned to be finished by Christmas 2022. However, due to setbacks following the uncovering of ancient treasures, as well as asbestos, the church did not reopen until last Easter.

The original estimated cost of £30,000 more than doubled to £70,000.

Echo: Part of the church floor was exposed during the works.Part of the church floor was exposed during the works. (Image: Paul Mackay)

Mr Mackay said: “It’s a huge privilege to be part of the excavation and changing of the church, but it wasn’t cheap.”

The vicar admits he had “a real crisis of conscience” over the cost of the works but insists they will “future-proof” the church.

Echo: It was a major undertaking.It was a major undertaking. (Image: Paul Mackay)

He added: “£70,000 is a lot of money to spend on six pews. But the changes we made won’t just benefit people now, they’ll benefit people for hundreds of years.”

The work was paid for by “legacy” donations left by parishioners.