St Mary the Virgin

A picture of the church in 1823 shows nave and chancel with two separately roofed side chapels, and a tower on the north side. The church’s main treasure was a 14th century altarpiece sculpted in England from stone brought from Caen. The building was in a state of collapse in 1823 and the altarpiece was discarded. The three middle panels were, however, subsequently recovered and remain on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum

The new building of Kentish ragstone had a large open nave with a chancel and side chapel (the Lambe’s Chapel, named after William Lambe (B. 1495), Master of the Clothworkers’ Company and founder of Sutton Valence School ). Major work took place in 1874 with the building of pillars and arches to support the roof, the creation of south and north aisles, the replacement of the west gallery and the installation of the present organ, pretty much as we see it today. A new lighting sytem was recently installed and plans are now afoot to install a lavatory (the first question of those attending weddings and funerals) and also a hospitality area at the rear of the church.

Sutton Valence remains largely a farming community, but has a significant proportion of commuters to London.