The Benefice comprises of St Peter’s Church, Sible Hedingham and St Nicholas Church, Castle Hedingham, and was formed in 1994.

We are still a rural community, with the two villages lying in the north of Chelmsford diocese, in the deanery of Hinckford, on or adjacent to the A1024 road, which runs between Braintree and Haverhill in Suffolk.  Our nearest market town is Halstead, with Haverhill, Sudbury and Braintree within twenty five minutes drive away, and Colchester and Chelmsford some thirty five minutes drive away.  Both Colchester and Chelmsford have large shopping centres, with all the facilities associated with large towns.

Although both parishes have their own traditions, which include two PCCs and four churchwardens, the secretary and treasurer are the same people for each parish, coming from Sible Hedingham and Castle Hedingham respectively.

We also have our own patterns of services.  The first and third Sundays are Morning Prayer and the second and fourth Sundays are Holy Communion – fortunately, at different times.  In addition, St Nicholas has an evensong service usually at 6.30 pm.  When there is a fifth Sunday in the month, we combine with the Baptist Church in Sible Hedingham and the URC in Castle Hedingham, and meet in one or other’s church, usually at 10.30 am.

The building of the church (St Peter's), as we know it, was begun in 1340.  Most probably on the site of a previous Anglo Saxon church.  It was completed in c 1370.  Inside, there is a very little decoration, but is very airy and light, and the beauty comes from its simplicity.  It may contain the remains of Sible Hedingham’s most famous son – Sir John Hawkwood.  He spent most of his life fighting as a mercenary in Italy, where he died in Florence in 1393, at the age of 73.  King Richard II ordered that Sir John’s remains should be brought back to Sible Hedingham, and buried in St Peter’s.  It is not known whether that actually happened, but there is a fine cenotaph in his honour in the South Aisle, as well as one in the Duomo. In Florence.

The present building has a modern “kitchen” are and toilet facilities.  After the formation of the Benefice in 1994, the Vicarage was sold, but some of the proceeds were given to the church to install a furnished room under the bell tower and is – surprisingly – known as the Tower Room.  This room is used for PCC meetings and could form the focal point for a Sunday School.  It could also be used as the Benefice Office.  The building is Grade II listed.