There were two manors in East Horndon, Heron to the north of the church and Abbotts to the south. By the fourteenth century the Tyrells of Herongate had been gaining influence, and became the patrons of the church. This family demolished most of the Norman church, rebuilding it in the present style. The chancel and south transept are late fifteenth century. There is a splendid limestone figure of Alice, wife of Sir John Tyrell, flanked by her children, all named. The south and north chapels were built for the interments of the family. Up the stairs is the south gallery, which was a living room for the chantry priest in pre-Reformation times, with a Tudor fireplace. The tower is squat, with distinctive corner turrets and a stepped parapet.
To the south of the church, East Horndon is reduced to the original old road to Herongate, winding up the hill, two restaurants and two houses. Crossing the road bridge to the other side and returning the way we have come, we find the old road running off towards the Thames, and in its angle is East Horndon Hall, the old manor or Abbots. There is reputed to have been a tunnel from the Hall to the church across the present Southend Road.
East Horndon once had its own petrol station with a nightclub known as "Elliott's", which was renamed Twilights in the mid 1980s. The club was opened during the early 1980s and closed in 1989. At the time of closure, everything was abandoned and left behind, including beer, furniture and equipment. The nightclub and petrol station remained until recently. The nightclub was a popular urban exploration hotspot[2] but it is unsafe to enter. The site has now been redeveloped into residential properties.[3]
The southern portion of the traditional parish of East Horndon is now in the unitary authority of Thurrock. On 1 April 1934 the parish was abolished and merged with Brentwood, part also went to Little Burstead.[4]
