A £100,000 renovation is set to be completed at the only Grade I listed building in Redbridge, which has been described as 'one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture'.

St Mary’s Church in Overton Drive, Wanstead, dates from the 13th century and the current building was finished in the 18th century.

It was last decorated in 1990 and a number of fundraising events are being planned this year to raise the estimated £100,000 needed.

Repairs to plasterwork, resetting loose pavestones and a full scale redecoration of the interior are due to be completed.

Designed by architect Thomas Hardwick, who founded the Architects' Club in 1791, the church was consecrated in June 1790 by Rt Rvd Beilby Porteus, Bishop of London.

The church has not been altered drastically since, with the pews used today the same as the ones used at the time of its consecration.

Peter Brown, Churchwarden of around 40 years, said: “We are proud of the history of the building and the interesting historical figures who were buried here.

"The church is entirely unique in the borough. This is mainly due to the influence of the Victorians, who rebuilt a lot of churches in the area.

“There were a few small changes of course, such as gas lights, but the building itself remains almost exactly the same as it did in Georgian times.

“It one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture and is a typical church of its age. You can see similarities with churches in the eastern cities of America.

“Since the current building was finished in the 18th century it has been in continuous use. We have a small congregation but the church means so much to us.

“It is a very important historical building in the borough. It is a place of worship and as relevant now as it was then."

As well as being a Grade I listed building, it has several Grade II listed structures in its grounds, including a monument to British naval officer, Admiral Robert Plampin, who fought in the Napoleonic, French and American revolutionary wars and was buried in the church grounds.

Admiral Plampin was famous for his capture of French ships Henriette and Bellone in the Indian Ocean in 1806, and was responsible for naval forces enforcing the captivity of Napoleon on Saint Helena island.

He died in Florence in his 70s, and it is not known for sure why he is buried in the St Mary's grounds, but local historian Richard Morris has pointed out he did own a considerable amount of land in Essex.

Also a monument to Joseph Wilton, an 18th century sculptor and founding member of the Royal Academy in 1768 is found in the grounds, where he was buried.

Mr Wilton is perhaps most famous for his sculptors of notable Britons in Westminster Abbey, including James Wolfe who died in the taking of Quebec in 1759, and Whig politician William Pulteney.

He had retired to Wanstead a few years before his death in 1803, to his country home, and may have attended St Mary's. 

The stone sentry box in memorial to the Wilton family was supposedly used as shelter for a guard employed to keep watch for body snatchers in the early 19th century.

Visitors are welcome to look around the building and grounds every Saturday 11am to 1pm and services are held every Sunday morning at 11am.