However, within a few days, incensed by the incident, the community came together to raise nearly £25,000 for repairs through a fundraiser by Rev Paul Hamilton and volunteer Astrid Gillespie.
The money has also been put towards additional security measures and to fix a priceless stained-glass window damaged during the unlicensed music event.
The inside of the church as police found it on the night
- Credit: Essex Police
The church grounds were covered in mess
- Credit: Essex Police
Police who arrived at the rave say the partygoers locked themselves into the church and then threw things at officers.
But bodycams on their uniforms were recording and meant every person who came near was captured, now singled out to be circulated and identified.
Police have released a gallery of 133 reckless ravers who are wanted after a Tudor-era church was trashed during a booze and hippy crack-fuelled lockdown party.
Images of the revellers who descended on All Saints Church, in East Horndon, Essex, for the illegal party have been made public in a bid to slap them with fines.
The pictures capture youngsters huffing on what appear to be hippy crack balloons, clutching bottles of spirits, gurning and even wearing shades at night.
Police are now hunting the partygoers who broke into the 500-year-old building on New Year s Eve, despite the county being hit with strict Tier 4 regulations.
Astrid Gillespie and Reverend Canon Paul Hamilton outside All Saints Church
- Credit: Church Conservation Trust
Two volunteers who spearheaded a campaign to repair a historic Essex church after an illegal rave have been recognised with a national heritage award.
Astrid Gillespie and Reverend Canon Paul Hamilton sprung into action after the illegal rave at All Saints Church in East Horndon, near Brentwood, caused significant damage to the building.
Essex Police seized equipment and made three arrests at the unlicensed New Year s Eve event, but a major clean-up operation was required after revellers trashed the Tudor church.
The pair spoke with the media and launched a fundraising drive by advertising a Just Giving page via Facebook.
Members of a conservation group supporting a 500-year-old church that was trashed during an illegal rave on New Year’s Eve say they have been “blown away” after receiving more than £22,000 in donations to help with repairs. Hundreds of party-goers attended the event at Grade II listed All Saints Church in East Horndon, Essex, and three people were arrested. Essex Police said organisers set up DJ decks, a bar, and even hired portable toilets for revellers. Volunteers said the ravers smashed a window, wired sound equipment into the church’s fuse box and churned up the ground outside with vans, causing around £1,000 of damage.
Members of a conservation group supporting a 500-year-old church that was trashed during an illegal rave on New Year’s Eve say they have been “blown away” after receiving more than £22,000 in donations to help with repairs. Hundreds of party-goers attended the event at Grade II listed All Saints Church in East Horndon, Essex, and three people were arrested. Essex Police said organisers set up DJ decks, a bar, and even hired portable toilets for revellers. Volunteers said the ravers smashed a window, wired sound equipment into the church’s fuse box and churned up the ground outside with vans, causing around £1,000 of damage.