Nominal: 973 Hz Weight: 529 lbs Diameter: 31.25" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by Joseph Hatch 1623
Dove Bell ID: 1332 Tower ID: 10064 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Thanington: St Nicholas
Overview
Grid reference: TR 131 567
Norman and C13, heavily restored by William Butterfield, 1846, including rebuilding of tower – a very early work by that architect. Reordered 2002-2005.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, chancel, S porch, S transept, N tower; attached church hall, lobby and vestry to N.
Footprint of Church buildings: 244 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The church has been the site of a place of worship since at least Norman times and – considering the mention of a church at Thanington in the Domesday Book – possibly earlier. There have been many significant archaeological finds in the vicinity including Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Norman and Medieval artefacts.
The church and its site have high archaeological potential.
There are both intramural burials and many burials in churchyard, including war graves.
A church is mentioned at Thanington in the Domesday book, suggesting that a Saxon church stood on the site before the Norman conquest. The church was in the possession of St Gregory’s Priory in the C11.
There is a memorial inscription in the porch to Christopher Hassall, actor, dramatist, librettist and poet – the creative partner of Ivor Novello – who is buried in the churchyard. The inscription is by the important glass engraver Sir Laurence Whistler, CBE, first president of the British Guild of Glass Engravers.
It is claimed – though without any documentary evidence – that Thanington churchyard was the inspiration for Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard.
To the S of the church stands a veteran (i.e. 500-1200 year old) yew tree, reputedly older than the church itself. Recorded on the AYG register: “An unusual fragmented yew, separated by a gap of 2’-3’ on one side while a section of dead wood from the original trunk fills much of the other gap. Staining to its interior suggests fire or smoke damage. The fragments are held together with covered metal wire.” Girth 612 cm / 20’. TPO. Many other mature trees.
Exterior Description
Early English in style. Symmetrical S elevation, with nave and chancel equal in height, a short gabled S transept, and N tower. The main entrance is via the S porch, between the nave and S transept: it is half-timbered, with small windows on the W side and either side of the door on the S side. There is a small door in the S transept on its W side.
Single lancets to chancel N and S are Norman. Two lancets to chancel, E; single lancets to S transept, W and E (the latter C13), and two lancets to S transept S, with hood moulds with label stops and a weathered buttress between them. Single lancet to nave S, C13. Nave W, three-light, has geometrical tracery (cusped lancets with trefoils and a quatrefoil above) and a hood mould with elaborate foliate stops. Single lancets (two) to nave N.
Tower with diagonal buttresses and pyramidal capped roof, wholly rebuilt 1864, has windows E, S and W in three stages, the lowest simple lancets, the upper two shouldered. There is a flat-roofed link on the N side of the tower to the gabled church hall.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
13th century
Chancel
12th century
Porch
13th century
Transept
13th century
Tower (component)
19th century rebuilt
Building Materials
Flint
13th century knapped
Caen Stone
13th century dressings
Clay
13th century Kent peg clay tiles to roof
Interior
Interior Description
There are steps down from S porch, which has a two-leaf, pointed-arched inner door in a larger pointed-arched surround. From there the floor is level throughout the nave and choir, with two steps up to the sanctuary and a further step up into the altar. There is a piscina by Butterfield on the S wall of the chancel. The interior is bright and flexible thanks to the 2005 reordering that removed its historic seating and installed a suspended timber floor over the historic stone floor. Unfortunately this has robbed the church of some of its character and remaining historic furnishings are left isolated. Brightly patterned encaustic tiles remain in the sanctuary and chancel, the latter unfortunately now covered with blue carpet. There is one step up from the nave into the S transept; the transept is also carpeted, one regrettable consequence of which has been to obscure the medieval memorial brass to Thomas Halle (see below). Set into the S wall of the transept, a C14 piscina, trefoiled, with a hoodmould in the form of a pointed horseshoe. In the W wall of the transept is a blocked arch, related to a lost S aisle.
The nave roof is arch-braced in dark timber, the braces supported on simple stone corbels. Barrel-vaulted roof to chancel, plastered and painted pink between dark-stained timber rafters and purlins. There is a high chancel arch, by Butterfield, with a hoodmould on W side with head stops and corbels with pillars of red stone. Similarly by Butterfield, twin arches to the S chapel, richly moulded and set on a short quatrefoil pier, incorporating the same red stone, with a hood mould with head stops on the nave side. The tower arch, with two continuous chamfers, is thought to be medieval. The windows throughout are deeply set in splayed surrounds with stone dressings.
From the tower, a timber staircase leads up to a ringing chamber, with a bell-chamber beyond.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (component)
19th century Stone. “Octagonal, chamfered down to a splayed, faceted base, an early example of the pure geometry Butterfield loved” (Buildings of England). Lead bowl, wooden cover. Of significance as an early design by Butterfield.
Reredos
20th century Limed oak, contemporary with communion rails, altar and reading desk; Classical. The central panel has a crucifix. A brass plaque records its donation in memory of James Henry Major, d.1952, and it bears another brass plaque in memory of Ivy Jane Margaret Bolton, d.1954.
Chair
21st century Modern nave seating with mauve upholstery.
Bench (seat)
19th century A couple of C19 oak benches survive in the ringing chamber.
Rail
20th century Oak, contemporary with reredos, altar and reading desk. Some carved decoration. A brass plaque affixed to the altar records their donation in memory of Harold Henry Wood, organist, d.1961.
Organ (component)
19th century One manual, painted pipes. A brass plaque records its installation in 1900, having come from Rainham church and been renovated by Messrs. Browne & Sons. BIOS attributes it to F. H. Browne of Deal, 1890; the NADFAS record describes it as a barrel organ of 1840, converted by W. J. Walker & Sons, 1866.
Plaque (component)
20th century S transept, S. Brass plaque records donation of church heating by William Edmund Lillywhite in memory of his parents, 1940. Falklands War: S porch, E. Small plaque commemorating Anthony Cork, L/Cpl., 2nd Bn. Parachute Regiment, killed in action at Goose Green, Falkland Islands. WW1: S porch, E. Wooden, three niches, with names L and R, and in the centre a metal crucifix with a metal plaque set with three campaign medals beneath. WW2: S porch, E. Bronze plaque commemorates presentation of two bells (q.v.) in memory of local casualties, with a list of names. S porch, W. Brass plaque records donation of porch doors in memory of Frederick Smith, Archdeacon of Maidstone, and his wife and two daughters, buried in Thanington churchyard. Hall. Bronze plaque records the gift of the hall by William Lillywhite, churchwarden, 1930.
Inscribed Object
17th century Chancel, N. Marble tablet in memory of Anna Hales, d.1617, wife of Sir Charles Hales (q.v.), surmounted with lozenge displaying her arms. Chancel, N. Similar to the above, marble tablet in memory of Sir Charles Hales, d.1623, surmounted by a shield displaying his arms.
Inscribed Object
19th / 20th century Nave, S. White marble tablet in highly decorated architectural stone frame, in memory of Thomas Cooper Esq. d.1876, his wife Elizabeth, d.1866, and their son Thomas Sankey Cooper JP FRCS, d.1898. Maker’s mark of G. M. Horan, Canterbury. Nave, N. Similar to the above and also presumably by Horan. White marble tablet in highly decorated architectural stone frame, in memory of Henry Cooper, Esq, d.1858, alderman, magistrate and five times mayor of Canterbury; and Henry Copper, JP, d.1901.
Stained Glass (window)
19th / 20th century Chancel, E. Two lancets, each divided into four roundels depicting scenes from the life of Christ. Inscribed “To the Glory of God and In Memory of Her Family, Hetty B. Sankey, 1871.” Lavers, Barraud & Westlake (B of E). (Pictured.) Chancel, N and S. Each is a single lancet depicting a crowned saint, wearing a white robe and carrying a palm frond (indicative of martyrdom). That to N inscribed in memory of Jane Browne, d.1845; that to S, in memory of James S. Browne, d.1855. Lavers & Barraud (B of E). S transept, E. Single lancet depicting the Good Shepherd, with the Sower beneath. Maker’s mark of F. W. Cole of Nonington, 1970. Inscribed in memory of William Edmund Lillywhite, Churchwarden, d.1965. S transept, S. Single lancet depicting St Mary. Inscribed in memory of Elizabeth, wife of William Lillywhite, d.1934, though the glass itself looks C19 (compare the nave N and S windows, below). S transept, S. Single lancet depicting St Elizabeth. C19, similar to other S transept window and nave windows N and S. Nave, S. Single lancet depicting an angel appearing to a centurion. Similar in style to the Nave windows N, and the windows depicting Saints Mary and Elizabeth in the S transept. Inscribed in memory of Thomas Powell, d.1855. (Pictured.) Nave, W. Set into clear diamond quarries, a cartouche panel of medieval glass depicting the head of Christ. It was sold by Canterbury Cathedral in 1980 and installed by F. W. Cole (q.v. S transept E window, above). (Pictured.) Nave, N. Single lancet, similar in style to S transept windows and N window S. Jesus and disciples with centurion. Inscription records its donation by Mrs Thomas Powell, in memory of her brothers and sisters. Nave N. Single lancet depicting the Good Samaritan, inscribed in memory of William Croasdill, d.1874. Similar to S transept S windows, and other nave windows N and S.
Altar
20th century Limed oak with central cross, 1966. Matches reading desk; contemporary with reredos and communion rails. A brass plaque records its donation. Also plain oak altar to Lady Chapel, 1998.
Pulpit
19th century Oak, octagonal, with stone steps. Blind tracery to each panel, a trefoil Gothic arch with pillars, and pierced cusped ogee arches to base. Now set into the suspended wooden floor of the nave. “There is a pre-Ecclesiological thinness about it, yet it has a strong presence” (Buildings of England). Brass reading desk attached. Of significance as an early design by Butterfield.
Lectern
19th century Brass, with a twisted stem.
Bells
Nominal: 1638 Hz Weight: 300 lbs Diameter: 22.63" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1966
Dove Bell ID: 14614 Tower ID: 10064 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1458 Hz Weight: 344 lbs Diameter: 24" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1948
Dove Bell ID: 14615 Tower ID: 10064 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1302 Hz Weight: 376 lbs Diameter: 25" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1948
Dove Bell ID: 14616 Tower ID: 10064 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1230 Hz Weight: 405 lbs Diameter: 26.63" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by Joseph Hatch 1624
Dove Bell ID: 14617 Tower ID: 10064 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Nominal: 1088 Hz Weight: 554 lbs Diameter: 29.5" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by John Palmar (Canterbury) 1638
Dove Bell ID: 14618 Tower ID: 10064 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: eighth Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: TR 131 567
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.
The churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
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.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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