In the mid-1500's St. Mary's church was in a terrible state of repair and began to fall down. Things were so bad that a local brewer from Canterbury, George Foggard started a fund to raise money for its repair. Unfortunately, the amount collected was used by Foggard for his own purposes and the Church eventually was reconstructed with wooden pillars instead of stone as had been intended. However, they have served their purpose and still support the roof today, 400 years later. There is a memorial to the Oxinden (also spelled as Oxenden) in the Church also built with wooden pillars.

Wingham can boast two famous sons, one fictional and one fact. "Best's son, the tanner of Wingham" was mentioned as a member of Jack Cade's rebellion in Shakespear's work, Henry IV, Part II. The other was a William Miller who was born in the Village in 1795. As young man, Miller travelled to South America and fought alongside Bolivar, who, in 1821 became the first President of Colombia. Because of his acts of bravery, Bolivar made Miller the commander of his whole army. When he returned home from South America, Miller was made a Freeman of the City of Canterbury.