The South Door which leads into the base of the Church Tower. © PE Blanche 2001

The Chancel © PE Blanche 2001

This is a must on any tour of Kent Churches. It's not so much from the point of view of it being particularly attractive or built on any kind of grand scale but it does contain so many interesting things, not the least of which is the glass. Unfortunately, when I recently visited the Church, I ran out of the higher speed film I needed for taking pictures of the windows so I will return soon and add another page about the Church at a later date.

Certainly, the location on the bend in a road near the Nailbourne is a very pretty one. The position of the tower is unusual, built as it is onto the South side of the Church although the position of the tower is possibly a little exaggerated because of the additional of the North Aisle in the mid-1800's. Entrance to the Church is gained through a most elaborate door, one of the finest in Kent, directly underneath the tower. It is suggested that the doorway was probably built by the same masons that constructed the nearby Barfreston Church and also Rochester Cathedral (see larger picture below left). There is another smaller but also interesting "priest's door" on the South side of the Chancel. The rounded top of this second door can be clearly seen to the right on the picture at the top of this page.

Inside the Church is a feast of plaques and memorials for the genealogist who might have a connection with this parish. Even if you don't have any direct connection, then it is certainly interesting to wander slowly round the nave, chancel and aisles to see and read the various tablets. Many of these relate to the Conyngham family who once lived nearby at Bifrons Park (now demolished).

On the left is a picture of the Chancel and at the top of the East wall is an unusual circular window. The other East lancet windows with their rounded tops are Norman in origin and contain some of the Swiss glass I have already mentioned. Underneath the floor of the Chancel is the family vault of the Conyngham family. A carved 16th century former reredos for some reason now stands at the West end of the Church.

Given that there are so many interesting items in this Church, I will complete additional pages about it in the near future.