Nominal: 593 Hz Weight: 2632 lbs Diameter: 52.5" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1834
Dove Bell ID: 2800 Tower ID: 14070 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Goudhurst: St Mary the Virgin
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 723 378
St Mary’s church is currently Listed Grade I. The building consists of a nave, north aisle, south aisle, north chapel, south chapel, chancel and west tower. The building dates from the 13th – 15th centuries with the tower being rebuilt in 1638-40 following the destruction of the earlier tower by lightning in 1637. The building was restored 1865-70 by Ewan Christian to designs of Slater and Carpenter. The south-west vestry dates from this restoration.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 675 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The building dates from the 13th – 15th centuries with the tower being rebuilt in 1638-40 following the destruction of the earlier tower by lightning in 1637. The building was restored 1865-70 by Ewan Christian to designs of Slater and Carpenter. The south-west vestry dates from this restoration.
Interior
Interior Description
The church is entered through the main west door which leads into a spacious enclosed area at the base of the tower. This area includes two painted benefaction boards and a large mosaic panel erected as part of the millennium celebrations. A small door in the north wall gives access to the upper part of tower where the ringing floor is located. From the ringing floor views can be obtained into the main body of the church via a large internal window. The 2012 re-ordering included the addition of toilets, accessible through a door on the South wall. Access to the nave is gained via a pair of late 20th century double timber doors. These lead to a point at the west end. The nave is largely pewed. In 2012 two internal rooms to the North-West and South-West corners were created to house a kitchen and ‘Children’s Chapel’. Constructed of oak, the work is of very high quality. Pews were removed from the West end of the Nave at the same time to create a flexible open space. The South aisle retains most of its pewing although some space has been cleared at the east end. The north aisle has been completely cleared of fixed seating and provides an area of flexible space. The north-east chapel is separated from the north aisle and chancel by a low timber screen with curtains above. This area is presently used as the choir vestry and also is the location for the organ. The south-east chapel is separated from the south aisle by a screen, the lower part of which incorporates 14th or 15th century panelling. There is no separation between this chapel and the chancel. The seating in the chapel is provided by a number of movable chairs. At the east end there is a small altar and rails. The chancel is furnished with clergy and choir stalls of the 19th century and a modern platform for a nave altar extends west of the chancel arch. The sanctuary is furnished simply with an altar, clergy chair and rails.
Most of the roofs and ceilings in the church appear to date from the 19th century restoration, although the nave and south aisle incorporate earlier woodwork the latter of which retains some 14th century painted decoration. The floor finish throughout the nave, aisles and chapels is predominantly of tile with stone being used in the south-east corner. The pews have been fixed to timber pew platforms. The chancel and raised dais have been finished in blue carpet. Whilst many of the windows have been glazed with clear or coloured quarries, there are three stained glass windows in the south aisle and one in the main east window. There are some surviving fragments of 15th century glass gathered together in a panel in the west window of the south aisle.
Fixtures and fittings
Clock
18th Century Clock with wrought iron side by side birdcage frame made by Samuel Harman from Tenterden in 1789
Historical Notes
1789 - 1789
Period Qualifier: 2
Clock
20th Century Clock with flat bed frame located in tower. Made in 1907 by Barham & Son from Hawkhurst.
Historical Notes
1907 - 1907
Period Qualifier: 2
Bells
Nominal: 1199 Hz Weight: 644 lbs Diameter: 30.5" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by Pack & Chapman 1775
Dove Bell ID: 22122 Tower ID: 14070 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1124 Hz Weight: 672 lbs Diameter: 32" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1834
Dove Bell ID: 22123 Tower ID: 14070 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 993 Hz Weight: 728 lbs Diameter: 33" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by Pack & Chapman 1776
Dove Bell ID: 22124 Tower ID: 14070 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 896 Hz Weight: 896 lbs Diameter: 37" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by Thomas Mears & Son 1805
Dove Bell ID: 22125 Tower ID: 14070 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 791.5 Hz Weight: 1092 lbs Diameter: 39.5" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by Richard Phelps 1707
Dove Bell ID: 22126 Tower ID: 14070 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 740.5 Hz Weight: 1316 lbs Diameter: 42" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by Richard Phelps 1707
Dove Bell ID: 22127 Tower ID: 14070 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 665.5 Hz Weight: 1792 lbs Diameter: 46.75" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by Richard Phelps 1707
Dove Bell ID: 22128 Tower ID: 14070 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 723 378
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
| Name | Status | Number found in this site |
|---|---|---|
| Lawson cypress | Notabletree | 1 |
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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