Nominal: 978 Hz Weight: 693 lbs Diameter: 32" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1956
Dove Bell ID: 4047 Tower ID: 14247 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Little Chart: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 944 458
This charming 1950’s church stands on a large plot laid to grass and enclosed by a wooden fence and low wall, with no burials. The church was built in 1955-6 on land given by Major T Reynolds to a design by H Anderson. The church is an idiosyncratic mixture of gothic elements (tall pointed arches) and some influences reminiscent of the inter-war period, particularly the tall square tower.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower, aisled nave with recessed transepts, chancel with flanking rooms.
Dimensions:
Nave 16m (50ft) by 11m (34ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built in 1955-6 on land given by Major T Reynolds to a design by H Anderson. This architect also designed the new church of Holy Trinity (St Mary) in Margate in 1959, and worked on the Wolfson Library at Canterbury Cathedral. The building replaced the medieval church ¾ of a mile to the north-west, which was bombed out in World War II by a “Doodlebug”. The old church was near to Calehill House, home since 1410 to the Darell dynasty. Many of the fine memorials moved from the old to the new church are to this family.
Exterior Description
The church is an idiosyncratic mixture of gothic elements (tall pointed arches) and some influences reminiscent of the inter-war period, particularly the tall square tower. It has clear lines and despite its unusual plan (the “transepts”, perhaps more accurately cross gables, project upwards but are actually recessed within the nave) a pleasing simplicity, and the steep roofs and tall tower give considerable vertical emphasis.
The west tower is of four stages, the lower three lit by domestic square windows of two lights, the belfry has a row of three louvred lancets under a stone band and a plain recessed parapet. The nave roof is taken down in one sweep over the aisles, chancel and vestry, only broken by the upwardly projecting recessed transept gables.
The walls are pierced by two-light domestic windows in each bay, and there is a five-light dormer window of the same style providing a sort of clearstorey for the chancel. The east window and transept windows are tall pointed lancets. The main entrances are symmetrically placed rectangular doorways with artificial stone jambs at the west end of the aisles; plainer doorways give access to the rooms flanking the chancel.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1960
East window with St George with angels above and below within vesicas
Stained Glass
North transept, warrior knight with angel above, in memory of Lionel Darrel, 6th Baronet 1st Life Guards, born 1874, died 1954, and his wife Eleanor Marion. By H W Luxford.
Building Materials
Brick
Steel
Roof frame
Clay
Roof tiling
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is whitewashed, high, light and spacious with a calm and cool atmosphere. There are plain pointed arches to the tower, chancel and sanctuary, and giving access to the vestries and other rooms flanking the chancel. The church was clearly designed with thought to accommodating the monuments from the old church, with a niche above the tower arch housing the medieval helmet and a large niche in the north chancel wall in which the medieval tomb and effigy is displayed. The remains of two 17th-century wall monuments have been mounted facing each other on the chancel walls. In the south-east corner is a relocated early 14th century piscina from the old church, simple, pointed.
The floors are of woodblock, with two steps to the chancel and one to the sanctuary, which are paved with stone slabs. The roof is a complex steel construction, cleverly articulated. There are convex pointed openings above each arch head.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
14th Century
Octagonal stone, heavily repaired
Tomb (component)
Tomb in the niche in the north chancel wall with effigy of Sir John Darell, died 1507. He rests with his feet on the figure of a monk, most expressively rendered. Restored by Cecil Thomas. A framed black marble panel is mounted on the wall behind.
Brass
Mounted on the wall to the east of the tomb
Bells
Nominal: 1663 Hz Weight: 300 lbs Diameter: 22.5" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1956
Dove Bell ID: 28642 Tower ID: 14247 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1476 Hz Weight: 347 lbs Diameter: 23.88" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1956
Dove Bell ID: 28643 Tower ID: 14247 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1313 Hz Weight: 359 lbs Diameter: 24.88" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1956
Dove Bell ID: 28644 Tower ID: 14247 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1236 Hz Weight: 382 lbs Diameter: 25.88" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1956
Dove Bell ID: 28645 Tower ID: 14247 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1099 Hz Weight: 495 lbs Diameter: 28.38" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1956
Dove Bell ID: 28646 Tower ID: 14247 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Weight: 224 lbs Diameter: 20.44" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1872
Dove Bell ID: 28647 Tower ID: 14247 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 56 lbs Diameter: 10.69" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by John Warner & Sons
Dove Bell ID: 28648 Tower ID: 14247 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 944 458
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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