| [2] |
Cozens
"It is situated in the Northernmost part of the Town; is an antient structure of two [sic] ailes, separated by wooden columns, one chancel and a low turret erected over the porch at the South side, in which hangs a small bell inscribed ""This Bel was bought and the steeple built A.D. 1718. J. BRADLEY, R. HARVEY, Ch. Wardens. R.P.F.""." (Zachariah Cozens, 1795) |
| [3] |
The original church, built in the time of the Saxons, is said to have been demolished by the Danes, and to have been afterwards rebuilt by queen Emma, which building was burnt down by the French, and it was not loing afterwards again rebuilt; nothwithstanding which, it appears to have become dilapidated and in a most ruinous state in the time of king Henry VI. For in the 2d year of that reign, anno 1448, part of the steeple fell, in consequence of which it underwent a thorough repair, and then consisted of two isles and the nave; the latter was terminated by the high chancel, and the souht isle by St. Laurence’s chancel. It however, fell down again on April 25, 1667, and brought down with it most of the church; the western wall, portions of the south isle and its chancel only remaining; and though the church itself was soon afterwards rebuilt, as at present, yet it does not appear that any steeple was built till the year 1718, when the present low one was raised upon the south porch, and one bell put up in it. Before this, there were five small bells, which about the year 1639, had been formed out of three larger ones; the above five bells were sold, for the faculty had been obtained in 1669, to fell the useless timber and the bells, towards the rebuilding of the church, and they were sold, as it is said, to the parish of Eleham. ('The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent. Vol 9', Edward Hasted) |
Photo: Richard Offen, May 2004