Hewitt memorial tablet

William Wilkins Hewitt was born on 11 January 1840.  He was a scholar of Corpus Christi College,
Cambridge from October 1859 to 1863, and obtained his M.A. in 1866.

In December 1905 he became Hon. Secretary of the proposed new Bishopric for Essex which, as the Diocese of Chelmsford, came into being in 1914.

During 1908 William Hewitt conceived the idea of turning the old Dedham Assembly Rooms into a Church Hall. He did this at his own expense and among other things, provided the two large copies of Constable paintings, and the portrait of his brother James which still adorn the walls. The Hall was transferred by him to the St Albans Diocesan Trust in 1908 and in his will dated 21 July 1917 he left a further sum of money for its upkeep.