All Saints
Boughton Aluph, Kent
A medieval church on the Pilgrim's Way.
In the 15th century John Kempe, Archbishop of York and then Canterbury, who was born in Wye, restored and enlarged the church when he founded a college for priests here.
It was a cruciform church complete with tower and steeple. In 1572 a lightning strike damaged the steeple and for more than 100 years the tower remained insecure.
It fell in 1686, destroying the chancel and east end of the church. After temporary repairs, the chancel was rebuilt during the reign of Queen Anne, so the church now has a medieval nave and a Stuart chancel. The tower was rebuilt on the side of the chancel in 1706 to complete the patchwork effect.
Inside, the church is spacious and full of light. Near the west door is a model showing the original church before the catastrophes of 1572 and 1686.
