St Mary's Church, Nettlestead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church |
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The west end of the church
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| Location | Nettlestead, Kent |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican Roman Catholic |
| Website | [1] |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 23 May 1967 |
| Completed | 13th, 15th and 19th centuries |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Mary's, Nettlestead |
| Deanery | Paddock Wood |
| Archdeaconry | Tonbridge |
| Diocese | Rochester |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Mary the Virgin is an old church in Nettlestead, Kent. It started being built way back in the 1200s! It's a special place where people have worshipped for centuries.
Contents
The Church Building
The church building started in the 1200s. The tall, square tower at the west end is the oldest part. It's made of rough local stone called ragstone. The tower has a pointy roof covered with wooden shingles. Look closely and you'll see narrow, pointed windows called lancet windows. A medieval doorway was added in 1858. It came from another church that was taken down.
The main part of the church, called the nave, was built around 1438. Both sides of the nave look similar. They have tall supports called buttresses. These divide the walls into sections with large stone windows. The windows have curved tops and three vertical parts. On the south side, there's a porch that was added around 1496. On the north side, a staircase was built in the 1800s.
The chancel, which is the area near the altar, was built around 1460. It is a bit narrower than the nave. The chancel has lower eaves (the part of the roof that hangs over the walls). Its corners have diagonal buttresses. There are small, pointed windows on the north and south sides. A larger window with three lights is at the east end.
Inside the Church
Inside, the chancel ceiling is made of wood with decorated rafters. These rafters have carved decorations called bosses. The nave ceiling is smooth and plastered. At the bottom of the tower, there's a beautiful screen from the 1400s. It also came from the old Teston church.
The church has special wall monuments. These are like memorials carved into the walls. Two of them remember Elizabeth Scott (who passed away in 1598) and Katharine Scott (who passed away in 1616). Both monuments show kneeling female figures.
Stained Glass Windows
The church is famous for its stained glass windows. Some panels in the north nave window were paid for in 1438. This was done by John or Reginald Pympe from nearby Nettlestead Place. The north chancel window might be from the 1460s. Many windows also have angels holding shields at the top. These are from the 1400s too. Other windows were added later, during the Victorian and Edwardian times. They were made to look like the older 15th-century style.
Churchyard Features
The church has a special gate called a lychgate. It is a memorial to people who lost their lives in both World Wars. In the churchyard, there are also three old stone tombs. These are called chest tombs and are considered important historical structures.
Church Use
St Mary's Church is used by two different Christian groups. Both the Church of England and Roman Catholic congregations hold services here. On Sundays, the Catholic Mass is held before the Anglican service.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Maidstone
