St Mary Magdalene

Today, people might be forgiven for thinking St Mary’s church has always stood, isolated on a hill and remote from civilisation. However, 900 years ago, this was not the case as the church, with the remnants of the adjacent castle, would have stood at the centre of a large and important estate.

It is a substantial building with a complicated architectural history. Nothing appears to survive from the early medieval churches above ground and the present building has, at its heart, a substantial 13th century church.

However, on 20 February 1836 the church suffered a substantial fire. Plumbers working on the east end of the north aisle lead roof left a stove burning. This set fire to the north aisle roof, destroyed the north transept roof and much of the roof and fittings of the chancel. This lead to a significant amount of repair and rebuilding work. Prior to 1836, it is known that the church was in poor condition with significant water penetration through the western tower. We also know there was clear evidence of decoration on the walls. However, a far larger and more invasive restoration was undertaken by the architect RC Hussey between 1851 and 1852, presumably under the direction of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester Cathedral.