St Nicholas

Site of a rural community church since the early 12th century. Built from a mixture of Kentish ragstone, other local stone and some roman tiles (possibly from the Roman fort at Richborough). It also incorporates Caen stone from Normandy, which was imported to be used in Canterbury Cathedral and other local churches. It is faced in flints, sourced locally in this chalky area and the walls were all constructed with battlement parapets. During the high medieval period it was rendered and may have been painted brightly, as there is still some evidence of that rendering.

Mid 12th century Romanesque features survive in the Lady/Bridges Chapel and the west end of the nave. The most important work of that time to survive is the south aisle arcade, probably dating from the 1160s/70s. These three arches and their capitals included carving of the same high quality and stylistic similarities as Canterbury Cathedral. Almost all of the east end, including the chancel, Bridges Chapel and Becket Chapel (now the vestry) were added in the 13th century.

The Bridges Chapel houses memorials to the family, remembering especially Robert Bridges, Poet Laureate 1913-30 and his only son Edward, Secretary to the Cabinet. The headstone of the Piscina, on the south east of the chapel, is carved from a single block of stone, probably dating from an early Norman or late Anglo Saxon window head. It may be a surviving fragment of a possible Saxon church on the site.

The tower can be seen for miles and was constructed in two phases; lower section in 1310 is of knapped flintwork, whilst the upper sections were added in rubble construction, possibly as navigation markers. There are elements of previous construction at the base of the tower. During late 14th and early 15th centuries the north aisle arcade and the clerestory to the nave were rebuilt. Most of the windows date from this period, with some late 15th century windows surviving in the Bridges Chapel.

The fine brass chandelier was donated in 1757. There is an exceptionally good early Jacobean pulpit, and a carving by and memorial to the renowned 20th century sculptor Alec Miller.

There were a series of restorations during the late 18th and 19th centuries, of which the most far reaching was carried out by Joseph Clarke in the 1870s. In the 20th century heating was added in 1929, gas in 1931 and electricity in 1939. A parish meeting room, toilets and basic kitchenette were added in 2002. Recent wonderful restoration was of the east window, by the glassworks at Canterbury Cathedral.

Every corner shows another small piece of history and invites exploration. It is also the venue for frequent concerts and other events.

The welcome is warm and the atmosphere serene.