Image Source: John Vigar

 

As the guidebook says, this is a much mutilated church! It is of late Norman origins, but rebuildings in the fourteenth and nineteenth centuries have left a church that is neither pretty nor inviting. The interior, however, offers the more experienced church-crawler a wealth of detail. The late Norman work may have been done by the same masons who worked at Rochester Cathedral as their masons' marks are identical. The fourteenth-century rebuilding took place as a result of earthquake damage of 1382 (see also Hollingbourne) when the nave collapsed. The work resulted in the demolition of the aisles and the patching up of the chancel. In the early nineteenth century the central tower was rebuilt and the chancel shortened to bring the altar nearer the nave. There is a series of good eighteenth-century wall tablets to the Bathurst family, and two memorial brasses. It may not be the loveliest church in Kent, but it is much loved and deserves more visitors.

 

 

Church Data

 

1851 Census Details

 

Seating Capacity: 346

Morning Attendance: 157

Afternoon Attendance: 183

Evening Attendance: No service

 

Architecture Details

 

Original Build Date/Architect: Medieval

Restoration: 1863

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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St Mary, Horton Kirby

 

  

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