Heritage
Historic Churches in Deal, Sandwich and Surrounding Villages
1 BETTESHANGER: St Mary the Virgin – This charming little church is sometimes called “the Church in the Garden”. It is quite off the beaten track, in the grounds of the magnificent mansion of Betteshanger. There has been a church on this site since before the Reformation. The present building is little more than 100 years old, put up by the first Lord Northbourne in the Norman style, incorporating a Norman window and doorway from the ancient church.
2 DEAL: St George – the town church of Deal, built during the reign of Queen Anne, by the council to serve the inhabitants and the sailors. It is commonly known as the Lord Nelson Church as he often worshipped here. Captain Parker, Nelson’s “dear son and friend” is buried in the churchyard. The roof spans the entire width of the church without support by pillars. The church welcomes visitors and is linked to the Charismatic and Evangelical traditions of the Church of England.
3 DEAL: St Leonard’s – This is the Parish Church of Deal. There is a Norman nave and chancel which have their origins in 1180. In the 13th century the narrow north and south aisles were enlarged to the present dimensions. The sedilia in the chancel dates from the 13th century too, whilst the Norman piscina is as old as the church itself. The original spire fell in the 17th century and was replaced by the present brick structure. The gallery over the west door formerly accommodated the Deal pilots.
4 DEAL: St Andrew’s – This parish church stands on the site of the old workhouse. It is built in the neo-Gothic or Victorian Gothic style. It comprises an open main nave with a Sarum altar, with north and south naves and chancels. The church was intended for use by the boatmen of North Deal, and the unique wooden arch of the main chancel is designed in the shape of a clinker built boat. The church belongs to The Anglo-Catholic tradition of the Church of England.
5 EASTRY: St Mary the Virgin – The manor as bequeathed by Ethelred the Unready to the monks of Christ’s Church, Canterbury in 979. The church dates from the 13th century with traces of Norman work in the tower. A dominical circle on an octagonal pillar, a perpetual calendar for the Sunday or Dominical Letter of the years, is perhaps, unique.
6 GREAT MONGEHAM: St Martin – a medieval church of mainly Early English and later styles. It was restored in the last century by Butterfield, the famous church architect. There is a Norman window in the north chapel – the original church. The church contains a peal of six bells, a fine church organ and delicately carved medieval rood screen.
7 KINGSDOWN: St John the Evangelist – In 1850 a local resident, Mr William Curling built and endowed the Parish Church. He also built the school room, (now the village hall) and the rectory. The church is built in the Gothic style and its walls are of Kentish rag. The interior is spacious with no aisles or chapels. The timbered roof is supported on brackets let rather low in the walls. All the windows are coloured. Over the years a carved reredos has been added behind the altar and the choir stalls moved.
8 NORTHBOURNE: St Augustine – A fortress-like flint-stone building dating from the 12th century. It has four Roman arches and a 17th century marble monument erected by Sir Edwin Sandys (the Father of American Democracy). He is buried in the church in the family vault beneath the floor of the south transept.
9 RINGWOULD: St Nicholas – The church dates from the 12th century. The original tower was replaced by a red brick structure in the 17th century. The interior of the church dates from the late 19th century. The only fittings which remain are the Royal Arms of George IV and the 17th century chest. The oldest memorial is the fine alabaster and marble tablet to Richard Dauling, Rector, 1651 – 1679.
10 RIPPLE: St Mary the Virgin – This church was rebuilt in 1861 and stands on the foundations of the 13th century building. Rectors date back to 1294. The east windows and the chancel arch are similar to those found in the beautiful Norman church of Barfreston. Sir John French, 1st Earl of Ypres, is interred in the churchyard. The font is dated 1663.
11 SANDWICH: St Peter – This church was declared redundant in 1973 and is vested in the Redundant Churches Fund. As with St Mary’s, the central tower fell in the 1660’s. Most of what ones sees of the interior is of the 13th century and is aesthetically very appealing. The tower, with its ogee cupola, houses the town clock and it is from here that the curfew is rung each evening at eight.
12 SANDWICH: St Clement – situated in Knightrider Street, the parish church of what could be the most complete medieval town in England. The church has a magnificent central Norman tower, a 15th century font, two medieval altar stones and an open timberwork of the kind most frequently found in East Anglia. There is Medieval floor tiling, ancient stalls including a misericord, a monument of an alabaster figure dating from 1611, and a memorial tablet to the Sandwich historian William Boys. Until the 17th century the Mayor was elected here.
13 SANDWICH: St Mary – This church occupies the most ancient site of Christian worship in the town. Situated in Strand Street it is on the approach road from Canterbury. As a result of rebuilding in the 17th century it now has an unusually wide nave roofed by a single span, giving a magnificent sense of space. The church contains a substantial collection of indents of lost monumental brasses. The church was declared redundant and vested in the Redundant Churches fund in 1985.
14 SHOLDEN: St Nicholas – This is a much restored building of Norman origin. It was badly damaged in World War II but contains in the nave traces of the original fabric dating from 1070 – 1120. In the 14th century a tower and a north aisle were added to the 13th century chancel and the present west and east windows of the nave inserted.
15 STAPLE: St James the Great – The present church dates from the 14th and 15th centuries with tower and east windows of 13th century origin. In 1892 a small Saxon window was discovered in the tower with the typical “long and short” arrangement of stonework evident. The tower has four bells, one of which is over 540 years old. A one handed clock dating back to 1789 is evident.
16 SUTTON: St Peter and St Paul – The present church dates from 1120, although a Saxon church existed on the site. Rebuilding occurred in the 19th century. Norman work can be seen in the chancel and over the north doorway. The rounded apse dates from the 19th century. The ancient feel of the building can be detected in its thick walls and tiny windows.
17 TILMANSTONE: St Andrew – There was a Saxon church here before the Normans replaced it. The church was restored in 1884. There is a 13th century font, a fine brass memorial and a handsome Royal Coat of Arms of William III. There is also a 16th century tapestry mounted on the north wall of the nave. The yew tree in the churchyard is at least 700 years old.
18 WALMER: St Mary Old Church – The church was built in 1120 and the remaining Norman features are the doorway, chancel arch and two small windows. The north wall of the nave was removed in the 19th century to make way for an extension; the latter was removed in 1898 and the church restored to original dimensions. On the north wall hangs the hatchment of the Duke of Wellington who worshipped here whilst at Walmer Castle.
19 WALMER: St Mary (new church) – situated in St Clare Road. Built in 1887-8, the church was designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield. It has a spacious interior and externally is affirmative.
20 WALMER: St Saviour – This church facing the sea was built in 1848. It’s architecture and that of the old Lifeboat House are complementary. St Saviour’s was a Chapel-of-ease for the many boatmen who, in the days of sail, took supplies out to vessels in the Down. The Walmer Lifeboat services are held in the church or in the open air by the Lifeboat, so a strong link with boatmen remains to this day.
21 WOODNESBOROUGH: St Mary the Blessed Virgin – Hasted tells us that this church dates from 1180. Two Saxon grave markers can be seen inside the church. The sedilla in the chancel dates from1350. Pilgrims’ marks can be seen inside the church. The town with its unusual cupola, once had a steeple and was historically used as a guide by mariners navigating the Downs and seeking entry to Sandwich.
22 WORTH: St Peter and St Paul – The pillars on the south side of the nave are Norman, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, but much of the church interior dates from the 19th century. There are two fonts; a Tudor octagonal one and a round 18th century one. There are four old scratch dials beside the outside of the south doorway. The north door has a Norman archway, and the great west door is Early English.
