Available records for researchers:

		      Registers:	
                      Baptisms: 1637 - 1964
                      Marriages: 1624 - 1980
                      Burials: 1645 - 1976
		      Bishop's Transcripts:
		      CMB: 1562 - 1812
		      CB: 1813 - 1905
		      M: 1813 - 1837

If there was ever a Church that was steeped in legend more than fact, it is this beautiful little Church of SS. Peter & Paul at Dymchurch. This is the Marsh Church where Dr. Syn was never the Vicar but was made famous as such by the fictional books about the character by Russell Thorndike. Later, the rights to the books were purchased by Walt Disney Studios who made a film named, "The Scarecrow", based of the exploits of Dr. Syn.

The grave of Solomon Pepper, Dymchurch. ©P.E. Blanche 1998

It is not difficult to find reminders of Dr. Syn around Dymchurch and right at the entrance to the Churchyard is the grave of Solomon Pepper. Anyone who has read the books will remember the local Doctor, Sennacherib Pepper, and it is obvious that these local names are scattered throughout the books.

In reality, there are connections here, as with other Marsh Churches, to smuggling and right across the road is the public house, The Ship Inn, which has had hiding places found inside it where contraband casks could be stored.

There is little doubt that there was once a Saxon Church on this site although no physical evidence of this fact now remains. However, a large portion of the Church is late Norman, having been built in 1150 A.D., with later additions as the local population grew. The steeple, originally added to the Church in the thirteenth century, is much shorter than it used to be, having been modified in 1821 at the same time that the Norman North wall of the Nave was torn down to add extra room inside the Church.

See also: The Church Interior

SS. Peter & Paul, Dymchurch
from the North West
© P. Blanche 1998