Epping's Church's Butchers has been awarded a Blue Plaque

The Society was instrumental in recommending and securing this honour, which Epping Town Council was proud to co-sponsor.

Church's Butchers has been a continuous and thriving fixture on the High Street since May 17, 1888, when the shop - originally known as Church's Pork Shop - was founded by Stephen John Church.

Church's Butchers has been a feature on Epping High Street for 130 years (Image: The Epping Society)

Coming from at least four generations of butchers, Stephen eventually pursued his dream, and created a legacy that continues today, as the business is still owned by the Church family over 130 years later and still trades from the original site.

The Blue Plaque commemorates the butcher shop’s deep historical significance, particularly its connection to the famous Epping Sausage.

Church's still makes this delicious sausage to the same recipe that was created by Stephen Church and his father, a recipe that was chemically and microscopically certified as being of "excellent quality and composition" in its early years.

The family maintains Stephen’s original values by meticulously sourcing their meat, with the vast majority coming from local farms, to ensure high animal welfare standards.

The Epping Society championed the nomination under the Town Council's Blue Plaque Scheme, recognising the building as being "significant in the history or development of Epping".

The Blue Plaque awarded to Church's Butchers on Epping High Street (Image: The Epping Society)

This effort aligns with the our ongoing mission to celebrate and preserve the town’s rich heritage, adding a tribute to a valued commercial institution alongside existing plaques honouring figures like Winston Churchill and Lucien Pissarro.

The Epping Society extends its heartfelt congratulations to the entire Church family, including current directors Guy Church, Yvonne Church, and John Cousins, on this richly deserved honour.

For over a century, Church’s has been the gold standard for quality produce and a testament to the resilience of Epping’s high street.

We are proud to have played a part in permanently cementing your family’s legacy in the history of our town.

• For more information or to get involved with The Epping Society, visit: eppingsociety.org