Nominal: 660 Hz Weight: 1789 lbs Diameter: 46" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Lester & Pack 1759
Dove Bell ID: 4324 Tower ID: 11852 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Lyminge: St Mary & St Ethelburga
Diocese of Canterbury
Church, 606107
http://www.elhamvalleygroupofchurches.co.ukOverview
Grid reference: TR 161 408
The parish church of Lyminge, dedicated to St Mary and St Ethelburga, together with the remains of “the older church to the south”, is listed Grade I. Following the widely-held belief at the time, the listing records the date of the earliest part of the parish church as around 965. This early date is now disputed and the most recent survey undertaken by Tim Tatton-Brown suggests on the basis of the presence of Quarr stone that the earliest part of the standing church dates to the late 11th century.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 406 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Following the widely-held belief at the time, the listing records the date of the earliest part of the parish church as around 965. This early date is now disputed and the most recent survey undertaken by Tim Tatton-Brown suggests on the basis of the presence of Quarr stone that the earliest part of the standing church dates to the late 11th century.
13th century: There are indications of an earlier tower, including a surviving buttress, suggesting building at this time.
c.1480s: Existing north aisle added possibly remodelling an earlier aisle. The tower was also begun around this time. The porch too may originate in the 15th century. This points to a major building programme and expansion around the end of the 15th century.
1860s: Extensive “restoration” under direction of Canon Jenkins, including removal of wall plaster and opening of previously blocked Norman windows. The West Gallery is removed, which may indicate the installation of the first organ in the North Aisle. The porch is rebuilt.
1898-1900. Extensive repairs to the roof of the nave and chancel. The church is refloored in stone, and the level of the chancel floor is raised. The current pews are installed, made of locally grown oak and built by Lyminge men.
Exterior Description
The nave and chancel are of flint, sandstone and ragstone, with considerable areas of herringbone work. The north aisle is of uncoursed flint and sandstone. The tower is of roughly coursed ragstone and sandstone. There are stone dressings. The roof of the nave is largely lead and the chancel roof is of slate.
Nave: No plinth but Anglo-Saxon foundations towards the west end; hollow-chamfered stone string-course; galleted stone repair work to the east end of the south elevation; plain parapet with moulded stone coping; small, round-headed single-splayed window under the eaves towards the centre; two pointed-arched three-light south windows with cusped intersecting glazing bars, and hood-mould.
Chancel: No plinth; lower eaves than nave; small round-headed single-splayed window under eaves to west of centre; two 15th century south windows, each of two cinquefoil-headed lights, with tracery of vertical bars, almost triangular head and no hood-mould; low 13th century pointed-arched stone doorway west of centre; mediaeval doubly plain-chamfered flying buttress from south-east corner to a free-standing pier; 9 15th century pointed-arched east window of three cinquefoil-headed lights with tracery of vertical bars and hood-mould; two round-headed north windows, similar to south; early 16th century untraceried north-west window of two cinquefoil-headed lights and square head; large central patch or repair of dressed stones.
North Aisle: Early 16th century incorporating vestiges of an earlier north-west tower; hollow-chamfered stone plinth except to west end; plain parapet above hollow chamfered string; diagonal north-east buttress, north-west angle buttresses and one north buttress; one east window and two north windows similar to north-west chancel window; low moulded, pointed-arched north doorway; tall narrow west window of two trefoil-headed lights, recessed in moulded architrave with cambered head.
West tower: Bequests made in 1508 and 1527 give an approximate date; two stages, on high chamfered and moulded stone plinth; battlemented above a hollow-chamfered string, shingled octagonal spirelet; uncusped two-light window with hexagonal upper light, and unglazed spandrels, in pointed-arched architrave with hood-mould, to each face of belfry; 16th century door of feather-lapped planks; polygonal north-east stair turret taller than tower, on continuation of tower plinth, and with plain parapet above a hollow-chamfered string.
Interior
Bells
Nominal: 1326.5 Hz Weight: 546 lbs Diameter: 29" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1904
Dove Bell ID: 30013 Tower ID: 11852 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1241 Hz Weight: 600 lbs Diameter: 30.25" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1904
Dove Bell ID: 30014 Tower ID: 11852 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1105 Hz Weight: 687 lbs Diameter: 32.38" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1904
Dove Bell ID: 30015 Tower ID: 11852 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 986.5 Hz Weight: 755 lbs Diameter: 33.75" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by John Wilnar 1631
Dove Bell ID: 30016 Tower ID: 11852 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 882.5 Hz Weight: 812 lbs Diameter: 35.75" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by William Mears 1785
Dove Bell ID: 30017 Tower ID: 11852 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 826.5 Hz Weight: 986 lbs Diameter: 37.69" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by Samuel Knight 1727
Dove Bell ID: 30018 Tower ID: 11852 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 739 Hz Weight: 1034 lbs Diameter: 40.5" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by William Mears 1785
Dove Bell ID: 30019 Tower ID: 11852 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: TR 161 408
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry | Veterantree | 2 |
| Yew | Veterantree | 2 |
| Cherry | Notabletree | 1 |
| Common sycamore | Veterantree | 2 |
| Common horse chestnut | Veterantree | 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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