John Rogers Monument 

John Rogers was called to the Dedham Lectureship in 1605 and held office for thirty-one years. His way of preaching earned him the title 'Roaring Rogers'. His tombstone, now almost indecipherable, is situated against the north wall of the chancel.

The Latin inscription includes these words:True-hearted worshipper of God 
No Boanerges more courageously 
Gave forth his thunder, and no Barnabas 
The word of consolation sweetlier.

Canon Rendall, in his History of Dedham, says: 
"The most substantial tribute to the attractive power of John Rogers's eloquence was the erection of the spacious galleries at the west end which spanned the whole breadth of the nave and aisles up to the second pier. The initials cut out upon the backs of the pillars of the nave are the most obvious traces that survive; but the galleries kept their place till 1862 restoration."


When Rogers died hundreds flocked to the funeral service and the gallery was so overladen with people that it almost collapsed. According to an eye-witness, it pleased God to honour that good man with a miracle at his death, because no one was injured.