Nominal: 778.5 Hz Weight: 1249 lbs Diameter: 39.6" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1961
Dove Bell ID: 516 Tower ID: 16508 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Bearsted: Holy Cross
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 801 555
Holy Cross Church is currently Listed Grade I. The building consists of a nave, west tower, south porch, south vestry, chancel and north aisle. During the 20th century the vestry area was much extended to provide new parish facilities. There is evidence in the nave of possible Saxon fabric, otherwise the rest of the building is of the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. There was a restoration in the 19th century.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 449 m²
Exterior Description
The building consists of a nave, west tower, south porch, south vestry, chancel and north aisle. During the 20th century the vestry area was much extended to provide new parish facilities. There is evidence in the nave of possible Saxon fabric, otherwise the rest of the building is of the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. There was a restoration in the 19th century.
The church is entered through the south porch that leads to a point towards the west end of the nave.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
Tower (component)
Vestry
Chancel
Aisle
Interior
Interior Description
The nave is fairly extensively pewed with the exception of open space leading through to the aisle which is occupied by book and display cases. An arch separates the nave from the tower and this has been in-filled with a glazed timber screen at the lower level. At the upper level a gallery was added in the late 20th century. The west end of the aisle is clear of permanent seating and the font is located in this area.
At the east end of the aisle the organ pipework is located on a raised platform, otherwise the rest of this area is flexible open space. There is a small timber altar at the east end. The chancel has been reordered in recent years with the altar and modern clergy seating occupying the east end and the choir stalls at the west end facing the congregation. There is also a pair of timber rails. A glazed timber screen separates the chancel from the extended vestry area and the organ console is located in a gallery that has been created above this screen.
The floor finish throughout the building is of modern stone slabs. The roof and ceilings throughout are timbered, the majority of which are of the 20th century. Many of the windows are filled with stained glass of the 19th and 20th centuries. The building contains a number of interesting monuments and memorials.
Fixtures and fittings
Pew (component)
Aisle
Cabinet
Arch
Screen
Gallery (ecclesiastical)
Font (component)
Organ (component)
Altar
Chancel
Stall
Rail
Vestry
Gallery (ecclesiastical)
Stained Glass
Bells
Nominal: 1325.5 Hz Weight: 554 lbs Diameter: 28" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1877
Dove Bell ID: 10347 Tower ID: 16508 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1180.5 Hz Weight: 616 lbs Diameter: 30.25" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by William Chamberlain
Dove Bell ID: 10348 Tower ID: 16508 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1055.5 Hz Weight: 688 lbs Diameter: 31.5" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1877
Dove Bell ID: 10349 Tower ID: 16508 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 976.5 Hz Weight: 840 lbs Diameter: 34.12" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by Robert Mot 1590
Dove Bell ID: 10350 Tower ID: 16508 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 881 Hz Weight: 1008 lbs Diameter: 36.6" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by Joseph Hatch 1606
Dove Bell ID: 10351 Tower ID: 16508 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 801 555
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.
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
Sources
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