The Drive Methodist Church
Sevenoaks, Kent
The church of St Mary the Virgin in Ide Hill dates from 1865 and replaced a smaller chapel which was endowed by Bishop Beilby Porteous and consecrated in 1807. The windows in the church were mainly made by Alexander Gibbs and date from the time the current church was built. The major exception to this is the east window which was made by John Baker in 1947 to replace the original window which was destroyed by enemy action in World War II on 27th July 1944.
The interior of the church is a great place for children to explore, and to find the little carvings of mice, frogs, birds and other creatures at the east end of the building. There are four Commonwealth War Graves in the churchyard and in February the snowdrops around the graves and the banks leading up the path to the church are a sight to behold.
Situated on the village green, the distinctive church spire can be seen from as far away as Junction 4 on the M25 (on a clear day!).