Essington for many centuries formed part of Bushbury parish which until 1934 was part of the Cannock Rural District but is now a populous suburb of Wolverhampton. Essington was formed into an ecclesiastical parish in 1934 when the church of St. John the Evangelist was built as a memorial to the late J.W. Forrest of Holly Bank House. The former iron church with a tower containing one bell was originally served from St. Mary's, Bushbury, but is now a church schoolroom and a social centre. The vicarage is in the gift of trustees. There is all annual dole of £24 for the deserving poor of Essington, Bushbury and, Brewood. The Methodist Chapel was erected in 1883, is of red brick, and will seat 200 persons.

 

Housing development in the parish has been scattered and future planning is a matter of considerable concern to the County Council. The parish covers 3,007 acres but there are several communities mainly based on the main roads that pass through the parish to Walsall, Wednesfield, Willenhall and Wolverhampton. There has been considerable suburban development since 1921, when the population was 2,393. Today the population is well over 3,000 and there is no doubt that, because of its proximity to the large towns, the parish will become more urbanised.

 

Coal, clay, and iron ore have been mined in Essington Wood since the Middle Ages. The coal has been mainly worked out or the mining of it is fraught with great difficulty. Brick and tile making is still carried on to a considerable extent. There are one or two small factories but the majority of residents work outside the parish. Most of the soil formerly belonged to the Vernons of Hilton who have disposed of a considerable amount of land in recent years. The Wyrley and Essington canal which passes through the parish, is now derelict.

 

 

Rate this page