Mistley Towers Preceptory - 0645

This Preceptory was constituted in 1990

The Preceptory meets at;
            Mistley Masonic Hall, South Street,
            Manningtree, Essex.
            CO11 1BG.
Meeting on;
            1st Friday in May
            3rd Wednesday in September
            2nd Friday in November (Installation)
Registrar
            E.Kt Ken Bessent
            Reg645@essexkt.org
History
            The last Preceptory to be consecrated in the Province in 2003. Named after the twin towers of
            the now demolished Church of St. Mary the Virgin at Mistley. The original Georgian parish
            church on the site had been built in a classical style early in the 18th century following
            the death of Richard Rigby Esquire of Mistley Hall, which had been acquired by his father
            in 1703. The Rigby family were merchant woollen drapers in the City of London as well as
            colonial officers in the West Indies and as speculators in the ''South Sea Bubble'' where
            their fortune was acquired. The church was one of only two designed in 1735 by Robert
            Adam - the famous architect of the period. In 1777 a tower was added at each end of the
            original structure, as well as porticos and columns at the front and rear. The body of
            the church was demolished circa 1870 leaving only the towers standing which are deemed
            of ''considerable architectural significance'' by English Heritage. Richard's son, also
            called Richard (born 1722) inherited his father's estate, was an MP for over 40
            years, and held high government offices through his connections with the nobility and
            various Prime Ministers and thus increased the family's fortunes but died as a confirmed
             bachelor in 1788.