Nominal: 1324.5 Hz Weight: 560 lbs Diameter: 29" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1872
Dove Bell ID: 57267 Tower ID: 21918 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Maidstone: St Faith
Overview
Grid reference: TQ 759 560
St Faith’s church was built in 1872 to designs by E. W. Stephens of Maidstone, on the site of a medieval chapel of ease. Pevsner records that the tower over the porch was added in 1881-2, but it is presumed to be part of the original design; the pinnacles to the tower were removed in 1938. The west end of the nave was subdivided and extended in 1972 to form a church hall (known as ‘Sharland Hall’), with west gallery above.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Clerestoried nave with north and south aisles, chancel with five-sided apse sanctuary, south-west tower of four stages, north-east organ loft and vestry. Church hall at west end (main hall, committee room, WCs, storage and kitchen) with gallery above. Crypt.
Description of Archaeology and History
The existing church stands on the site of a medieval chapel of ease. 2003 and 2009 watching briefs in Brenchley Gardens (both by AOC Archaeology) discovered 73 inhumations, mostly post-medieval, with a small group of medieval burials in an area away from the main group; and a small quantity of disarticulated human, representing up to 15 individuals. Works to dig a trench for water mains in 2004 close to the church uncovered an additional post-medieval body.
In addition, Maidstone stands on a long-distance Roman Road, and Pevsner notes that various Roman remains have been found in the town – though it is not known whether these denote a settlement or simply a larger concentration of occupation due to the vicinity of the Roman Road. The Archaeological Data Service records various Roman remains around the area local to St Faith’s, though none on the site itself.
The site has the potential for both human remains (medieval and post-medieval), relating to the earlier burial ground. There is also the potential that foundations and other artefacts relating to the medieval chapel remain. Given the central Maidstone location, there is a small chance of earlier archaeology, including Roman.
The current church stands on the site of a medieval chapel of ease. The principal church of Maidstone in the medieval period was St Mary, later the collegiate church of All Saints. The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent suggests that St Faith’s was “most probably erected for the use of those inhabitants of this parish, who lived at too great a distance to frequent the other [i.e. All Saints]. It seems to have been surrendered up into the king's hands, in conformity to the act of the 1st year of king Edward VI and, with the church-yard, to have been purchased of the crown afterwards by the inhabitants; but whether then used for religious worship does not appear. Some time afterwards it became part of the estate of the Maplesdens, of whom it was purchased in the reign of king James I. by Arthur Barham, esq. who possessed the manor of Chillington, at which time he acknowledged the right of the corporation to use the chapel of St. Faith for divine service, and the chapelyard for burials, if they thought fit.”
By the end of the 18th century (at the time the Topographical Survey was published) only the chancel was standing.
Maidstone grew in wealth and status from the late 16th century and through the 19th century, culminating in the formation of the County Council in 1889. Much development occurred from the beginning of the 19th century, with D.A. Alexander responsible for the largest commissions of the time. His pupil was another notable architect for Maidstone, John Whichcord, who was in turn the mentor to E.W. Stephens, the architect of St Faith’s. Pevsner states: “The town’s most active mid-Victorian architect was … E.W. Stephens, who became a committed gothicist”.
In addition to the new church, the Victorian development of the site and surrounds included the establishment of Brenchley Gardens on the former burial ground alongside the chapel of ease. This was presented to the town by Mr Julius Brenchley and was laid out to plans by Alexander McKenzie, 1871-73. Chillington Manor to the south, built after 1561 by Nicholas Barham, was “heavily restored” (Pevsner) to become the town’s museum in 1875, adding to the picture of a wide scale civic improvement of the area. The Technical Schools (A.W. Smith) and Bentlif Art Gallery (Hubert Benstead) were added to the complex in the 1890s. Further extensions and improvements occurred in the 1920s and, more recently, with a new wing in 2010-11 by Hugh Broughton Architects.
Important in the life of the parish in the 19th century was Robert James Worley, who has several memorials in the church, notably the east window. He left a bequest upon his death in 1899 for the annual granting of alms to poor women in the parish.
The site stands within a conservation area, so TPOs apply. There are no other ecological considerations noted in associated with the site.
Exterior Description
The building is mostly of a single phase of construction, clear from the consistently Decorated style throughout. A tall nave of five bays, with paired lancet clerestory windows, with simple tracery of trefoiled arches with single trefoils above. The west elevation of the nave has a rose window comprising a sexfoil and trefoils. Below are two tall lancets of two lights with cinquefoils, with an empty statue niche between. Above the rose window and at the east end are small trefoils to the top of the gables. Buttresses to all but south-west corner, where the porch and tower stand.
The drop arch entrance to the south porch has paired piers with floral carved capitals. The hoodmould terminates with carved corbel heads, both much worn. Consecration stone (20 September 1872) to right of door. The square tower of four stages with corner buttresses is reportedly of later date, but the design is consistent with the rest of the church and from the historic plans it can be assumed that it was always intended to be built. The tower stage (ringing chamber) has large three-light windows with sexfoils. Third stage has pairs of narrow lancets with clock above, set in pedimented surround; black painted face with gilded numbers and hands. Upper, belfry stage has large, paired openings of two-lights with trefoil over, with slate louvres. Scalloped and round pierced carving to top, but pinnacles removed.
The lean-to north and south aisles comprise five and four bays respectively, with the southwest tower shortening the south aisle. A plain stringcourse runs below the windows and stepped buttresses define the bays. The windows are of three-light with paired trefoils; the south aisle has an east window of three lights with cinquefoil, whilst the north aisle abuts the organ loft at the east end. The organ loft is of slightly lower height to aisle, carrying the same roof pitch, and has one small window at west end, to same design as clerestory windows.
The chancel is lower than the nave, and has a polygonal apse with three pointed gables and gargoyles at the gable bases. Three principal windows are lancets of two lights with trefoil over; smaller window of same design on north side and two on south side. A simple chevron stringcourse runs below the windows.
The vestry matches the chancel in its polygonal east side, though is much smaller in scale. The four windows are trefoil-headed lancets; the doorway is a pointed segmental arch with timber door. A decorative cross of fine metal stands at the roof apex.
A 1970s extension projects from the west end of the nave: flat-roofed and constructed in faced concrete block, with square windows at high level.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century
Clerestory
19th century
Aisle
19th century north and south
Chancel
19th century
Sanctuary
19th century five sided apse
Tower (component)
19th century later addition
Organ Loft
19th century
Vestry
19th century
Church Hall
20th century
Kitchen
20th century
Gallery (ecclesiastical)
20th century
Crypt
19th century
Building Materials
Stone
19th century Main construction material: squared, snecked ragstone.
Brick
19th century loadbearing
Bath Stone
19th century dressings
Tile
19th century clay and slate
Interior
Interior Description
The entrance to the church is through the base of the tower, with double timber doors with simple iron hinges. The door to the north was original access to nave but now leads to the hall. The glazed, timber-framed door to the east that leads to the nave stands in a modern opening. The door in splay in the north-west corner provides access to the ringing chamber, via a spiral stair. The ceiling has stop-chamfered principal beams with exposed joists.
Inside, the nave and aisles have been reduced from five bays to three, with the partitioning of the westernmost bays. North and south aisles of pointed arches with clustered piers and carved foliate/floral capitals, each of different design. Stringcourse runs below clerestory windows in nave. Infilled pointed segmental arch at east end of north aisle, with plain modern door leading into vestry. Nave roof of hammerbeam trusses supported on simple corbels; aisle roofs are simple trusses and exposed rafters.
There are two steps up to the chancel and two up to the sanctuary. The chancel arch is dropped, with grouping of three piers to each side and carved capitals like those in the nave, in addition to carved female heads. Within the chancel, eight carved angels at roof-plate level around the apse, each one unique. On north side, arched opening to organ loft and door to vestry set in four-centred arched doorway, with hoodmould terminated by male heads.
A gallery, with the church hall under, occupies the two western bays. Edwardian panelling has been reused to form the partition in the nave, and the original pews have been reinstated on the raked gallery. The gallery is reached by modern stairs. The spaces within the hall are plain, with some carved capitals from the original arcade visible. The plan comprises male and female WCs on the south side, a large hall with kitchen to west, a committee room and storage areas.
The vestry is in two parts, with two-light window with the dividing wall having an internal, two-light window with trefoil. An in-filled truss at high level in ‘outer’ (western) vestry is thought to have originally formed a partition between the vestry and organ loft. The ‘inner’ (eastern) vestry has simple panelling to window cill level. The ceiling is plastered, with exposed purlins.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century 1919, timber in Classical style with fluted legs. Dedicated to the memory of Frederic William Dutnall, organist of St Faith's.
Pulpit
19th century c.1872, built-in pulpit. Mostly of Bath stone with marble columns and inset details. Floral carving to capitals and to top band. The base bears the inscription: ‘To the glory of God and in memory of Edith Helena wife of the Rev Thomas Harvey, first vicar of this parish, who died March 16, 1872’. Painted steps; timber handrail with turned iron balusters, with decorative scrolls.
Lectern
19th century 1886, brass eagle. On the orb is inscribed: ‘Presented to St Faith’s Church by Mary E. Price A.D. 1886 “She hath done what she could”’
Font (component)
19th century c.1872, carved Bath stone, located at east end of south aisle. Octagonal bowl with quatrefoils, on marble columns with stone floral carved capitals. Timber font cover with iron strapwork.
Reredos
19th century c.1898, carved Bath stone with marble columns and insets. Blind, cusped tracery, with crocketed pinnacles to central section. Agnus Dei in high relief in central panel, flanked by the angel, lion, bull and eagle of the Four Evangelists. Within panels to left and right are painted the 10 commandments and the Lord’s Prayer. In memory of Elizabeth Rivers (d. 18/11/1897), wife of Rev. Henry Frederick Rivers, M.A., vicar of St Faith’s
Stall
19th century 1870's, timber choir stalls with poppyheads to frontals.
Pew (component)
19th century 1870s timber pews on pew platforms. Plain with simple poppyheads to every second pew.
Rail
19th century c. 1872 communion fluted brass rails on decorated brackets, set in marble step.
Organ (component)
21st century 2003, by Hugh Banton Computer Organs, Lymm. Simple timber case with plain metal pipes.
Clock
19th century 1884, tower clock with mechanism by Gillet and Bland; Ashdown and Bartlett.
Plaque (component)
19th / 20th century South side chancel arch: Brass plaque on timber backing: ‘To the glory of God and in memory of Robert James Worley of this town who died on the 5th day of August 1899. The three central chancel windows were erected by his brother Henry Worley AD 1900. Besides other local charities Robert James Worley bequeathed £500 to the vicar and wardens for the time being of this parish to be called the Worley Charity, so that the income might be divided equally between ten poor women of this parish to be chosen annually by the vicar and wardens on the 1st day of January.’ South aisle, west end: Brass plaque on timber backing: ‘Of such is the kingdom of Heaven’ in scroll, and under: ‘To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Frances Rosa Hammerton Fremlin. Born 17th June 1879 – Died 9th March 1892. This tablet was erected by the clergy and congregation of St Faith’s as a mark of sympathy with her bereaved parents, Frank and Edith Fremlin.’ North aisle, east end: Brass plaque on timber backing: ‘To the glory of God and in loving memory of Elizabeth Ann Town, who died Aug 9th 1910 aged 54 years. For 38 years a devout worshipper, worker, and member of this church. This tablet was erected by her many friends.’ Porch: small, plain modern plaques to Harry and Winifred Edmonds (1994) and Esther Dickens (d. 1962), marking restoration of clock and new porch lighting respectively
Stained Glass (window)
20th century North aisle, west end: Window of three lights, 1919, ascribed to Hardman. Central light depicting the Resurrection morning, showing Christ with sleeping Roman centurians in battle dress and female and male figures, with Union Flag and St George’s Cross in trefoils above. The window reads: ‘He that liveth and believeth in me shall never die: This window was erected to the glory of God in memory of those of this parish and congregation who gave their lives in the Great War that others might live in freedom 1914-1919’. Chancel, east window: 1900, Mayer of Munich. Series of three two-light windows in memory of Robert James Worley (d.1899, aged 64). Depicting (from left to right) Abraham, Isaac and angel (‘The Son of God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering’); Cornelius begging for his servant’s life (‘Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof’); John and Paul healing the lame (‘In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk’) South aisle, west end: 1914, Hardman. Three-light window depicting Jesus and children with angels in trefoils above (‘Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not’). In memory of Frederick John Crisp. South aisle, east window: 1913, Hardman. Three-light window with cinquefoil and roundels above, depicting scenes from the life of Jesus (‘The Water of Life’, ‘The Light of the World’, ‘The Bread of Life’). In memory of Henry Frederick Rivers M.A., Vicar of St Faith’, 1889-1904. South aisle: 1992, ‘The Ribbon of Life’, designed and crafted by Susan Mason. Three-light window, with central panel depicting dancing children. In memory of Kate Annleena Henn-Macrae (1982-1988).
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Two free-standing timber chairs with Gothic carving in the sanctuary.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TQ 759 560
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
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
Sources
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