KAS Churches Committee

The KAS Churches Committee’s programme of visits to historic Kent places of worship has continued in 2015 with well attended outings to Westwell and Hothfield on 18 April, to Marden and Staplehurst on 20 June and to Minster Abbey and Church on 27 September.

Westwell and Hothfield

By Paul Lee

Westwell is an attractive village, apparently deep in the countryside, although in fact not far from Ashford. The most striking features of this spacious 13th century parish church are the lofty vaulted chancel and unusual stone chancel screen. Also impressive (and beautiful) is the colourful Jesse Tree window occupying the central lancet in the sanctuary, the upper half of which dates back to the 13th century (the lower half was restored in 1960 in imitation of the upper half). Hothfield is the former estate church of the earls of Thanet (the big house next door was pulled down in the 1950s), and it now serves a post-war housing estate nearby. This attractive church dates back to the 13th century but was largely rebuilt in 1603 following a lightning strike and resultant fire. The chancel is dominated by the high alabaster tomb of Sir John Tufton, dating from 1624. The church was restored in 1876.

Marden and Staplehurst

By Paul Lee

St Michael’s Church in the Low Weald village of Marden was built in stages from the 13th to 15th century. The short stone west tower is topped by a distinctive weatherboarded bellchamber which houses a ring of eight bells. Inside, the stone font of 1662 replaced an earlier one apparently removed by a zealous minister during the Commonwealth period and is topped by a large wood cover with doors. Twentieth century embellishments include the lectern of 1963 and, most notably, the east window depicting Christ in Majesty, which was created by Patrick Reyntiens in 1962. Staplehurst Church is a long and lofty, mostly 13th and 14th century, building positioned high on the limestone ridge overlooking the Weald. The south door is famous for the elaborate ironwork dated to circa 1050 which shows Viking influence. The north wall of the nave and chancel show traces of early 12th century herringbone patterning and there is also a round opening which once provided a window for an anchorite’s cell.

We are grateful to our speakers: Mike Jamieson (Westwell); Chris Rogers (Hothfield); Robin Judd (Marden); and Anita Thompson (Staplehurst). We are also grateful to the volunteers who provided delicious refreshments at Hothfield and Staplehurst.

Minster Abbey and Church

By Toby Huitson

On a sunny day in the early Autumn the final visit of our year took place to two separate but related churches in Minster in Thanet. Formerly an island, this was an important early monastic centre. The nunnery here was founded in 670 and re-established in 1027 following Viking incursions as a dependency of St Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury. The group was shown around the substantial Romanesque remnants incorporated into later buildings including a ruined tower with an ashlar stairway and a recently-restored vaulted undercroft. The relics of St Mildred (officially venerated from 1388) had a particularly colourful history: originally held at the abbey, they were taken to Canterbury in the Middle Ages and appeared on the Continent in the reign of Elizabeth I, before partially returning in the nineteenth century. The nuns’ church was subsequently used by the wider parish and, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, became the parish church of Minster.