Holy Trinity, East Peckham , Kent

Holy Trinity, East Peckham Church

Image Source: Sir Paul Britton

The "New Church" of the Most Holy Trinity was built in 1842 to replace the medieval parish church of St. Michael & All Angels which was now situated in the countryside over two miles from where the present 19th century village was later built. The architects were listed as Whichcord and Walker. John Whichcord (Senior) was an experienced architect based in Maidstone who was responsible for a number of churches in Kent. For his commissions at Platt in 1841 and here in 1842, he was accompanied by a partner, Walker, whose identity is otherwise unknown. Erected only five years into the Victorian-era, Holy Trinity is a solid ragstone edifice built to a largely pre-Ecclesiological design, with a large and spacious nave and a tiny apsed chancel, which is now separated by a wooden parclose screen erected in 1927. Directly above the west entrance is a massive gabled belfry. It looks harsh and imposing and almost sinister - but the interior is quite the opposite! It is plain and simple, but surprisingly welcoming. The corbels beneath each of the roof supports are painted angels, each one holding its own individual shield. One can easily recognise the Crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick, representing the Patron Saints of England, Scotland and Ireland.There are four painted panels in niches (aedicules) on the wall of the chancel apse. Three feature the Patron Saints of England, Scotland and Ireland, underneath their respective corbel angel, while the fourth depicts St. Michael holding his weighing scales; a reminder that East Peckham's original parish church was dedicated to St. Michael & All Angels. These paintings were added to the niches in the 1920s to replace original evangelical texts featuring the Ten Commandments, Lord's Prayer and the Apostles Creed. The pulpit, lectern and font were added in 1891-93 as replacements for the originals that had been in use since the church opened half a century earlier. The northern vestry and the organ - which is still in use today - were added in 1899.

1851 Census Details

Seating Capacity: 598

Morning Attendance: 339

Afternoon Attendance: 300

Evening Attendance: No service

Architecture Details

Original Build Date/Architect: Whichcord 1842

Restoration:

Second Restoration:

Notes

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