KentFRITTENDENStMary(mikefitzgeraldPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)1 MikeFitzgerald

St Mary

A lovely Grade II* Victorian village church and church yard, at the heart of Frittenden.

Frittenden, Kent

Opening times

The church is generally open during daylight hours.

Address

The Street
Frittenden
Kent
TN17 2DG

A church in Frittenden was first recorded in the ‘White Book’ which listed churches under the tenure of St Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury and beyond, circa 1200. However, recent archaeological research indicates that the medieval church stood on the site of a Saxo-Norman church.

The medieval church was largely rebuilt by R C Hussey between 1846 and 1848, but some elements of the medieval church (the nave and the base of the tower) were retained. The church is listed grade II*. The Reverend Edward Moore, the grandson of an Archbishop of Canterbury, used the funds from his marriage settlement granted by his marriage to Lady Harriet to fund the rebuilding of the church and he added the north aisle in 1861.

The octagonal stone font at the base of the tower has a two tier wooden cover, considered by Igglesden to be one of the most elegant and artistic in Kent. Between the font and the door to the vestry is an oak cabinet containing 25 Tower of London Poppies that represent the Frittenden men who died in the first World War. The organ was built in 1907 by Messrs Peter Conacher & Co (Huddersfield) at a cost of £510. A particularly fine example for a village church, it was originally sited in the south aisle adjacent to the ohancel.

The Angels ‘flying’ above the chancel arch were painted in 2010 by Penn Norris. His inspiration was the Christ Angel bas relief adjacent to the servery by the German sculptor Ernst Rietschel. The east window in the north aisle, by the well known stained glass artists T Ward & H Hughes, commemorates the three daughters of the Reverend Moore and Lady Harriet. The east window in the Sanctuary, by the renowned Bucknall & Comper partnership, was erected in 1891. The design represents life on earth as one of activity and suffering and, in heaven, of repose and reward.

You can pick up a free illustrated introductory guide in the church and there is more information accessible through the church intranet via your smartphone or tablet. Instructions are in the south aisle.

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Accessible toilets in church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • On street parking at church

  • Ramp or level access available on request

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Services are held every Sunday, normally at 10am, but check the church website for up to date details. Moving Mountains prayer meeting meets from 9am to 9.30am on Monday mornings. During term time, Little Lambs Toddler Group runs from 10am to 11.30am also on Mondays. SPACE meets on 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 9am to 9.30am for a short service of prayer and reflection finishing with Holy Communion. C.A.M.E.O (come and meet each other) meets once a month, on 2nd Wednesday, for the chance to catch up over a cup of tea and cake.

  • Church of England

Contact information

KentFRITTENDENStMary(mikefitzgeraldPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)1 MikeFitzgerald

Make a donation

Donate to this church

Other nearby churches

All Saints

Staplehurst, Kent

The church on the hill, All Saints stands in the center of the village atop a hill.