John E. Vigars Kent Church Photographs
Image Source: Edwardian Postcard
A fairly small thirteenth- and fourteenth-century church that has been lovingly tended. The building consists of nave, chancel, south aisle and chapel. The latter dates from the fifteenth century and was built to contain the tomb of Richard Martyn (d. 1499). It replaced an earlier chapel that records tell us had been dedicated to St John the Baptist. In the nineteenth century Martyn's tomb was removed, but one panel from it has been set into the east wall behind the altar. The rood loft staircase survives on the north side of the chancel arch, in front of which is a good heavy Jacobean pulpit on a modern base. There are Royal Arms of the reign of George I. A corner has been cut off the pier at the north-west corner of the Martyn chapel and probably formed a hagioscope before the chapel was built in its present form. The stonework of the main east window is of early twentieth-century date and derives from a drawing by Sir George Gilbert Scott of the medieval window that survived until a mid-nineteenth-century local architect replaced it. It contains glass by Morris and Co. of 1909, originally meant for the neighbouring church of Crockham Hall where John Storr, whose life it commemorates, lived.
Church Data
1851 Census Details
Seating Capacity: No return
Morning Attendance: 400
Afternoon Attendance: No service
Evening Attendance: No service
Architecture Details
Original Build Date/Architect: Medieval
Restoration: 1859
Second Restoration: -
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Queries Relating to this Church
Whilst I am happy to answer any historical or architectural questions for all churches on this site, I cannot answer day-to-day queries relating to Family History, services, burials etc. Please see the Contact page, for details of other organisations that may be able to assist with those sort of enquiries.
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