St
Mary Church, Hinxhill
TR 0487 4260
CANTERBURY
DIOCESE: HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Tim Tatton-Brown's Survey 1991
LOCATION:
2 miles due east of Ashford on top of the Folkestone beds of the Lower
Greensand (c. 225 feet above O.D.) No. 'village' but the Court Lodge
is immediately to the S.E., and the large 18th century (but rebuilt)
Rectory to the N.E.
DESCRIPTION:
The earliest visible remains are of the 13th century, and this must be
the date of the chancel, nave and W. tower. A narrow north aisle and
north chapel were probably added in the early 14th century. The S.W.
porch (in brick) is dated 1698 (at the gable top), and this has been a
vestry since 1880 (with panelling + clapboard). The church was
reseated in 1878 (plain pews) and a W. gallery was removed at the same
time. The walls are made almost entirely of ragstone rubble with even
rubble block quoins in the nave. It is just possible that the nave
dates from the 12th century, but there is no architectural evidence
for this. The nave has a blocked 13th century door towards the middle
of the S. side and a later medieval doorway (now into the porch) on
the S.W. with finely cut ragstone jambs (the wooden door is probably
contemporary). On the S. side of the nave is a 3-light perpendicular
window with a square hoodmould (c. 15th century). At the W. end of a
very plain (c. 13th century) pointed arch connects with the 13th
century tower. Beyond is a c. 15th century doorway (now the main
entrance). Much of the tower walls inside and out show evidence for
recent and earlier rebuilding. Only the tall N. lancet (into the upper
chamber) is in part original. The western diagonal buttresses are
later (c. 15th century). The upper chamber is empty, but a ladder
(dated 1735) leads up into the spire base where 2 bells (of mid 15th
century + 1634, J. Hatch) hang in a c. 17th century frame (Hasted says
there were 3 bells). The carpentry of the spire appears to be later
medieval (with some later struts). Under the S. side of the tower arch
is a plain square plinth, with a large central and 4 small shafts of
Purbeck marble joining them. Just east of the tower arch is a leger
with a small brass inscription of 1518 (to Robert Ganley).
The nave roof is c. 19th century (perhaps of the 1880-1
restoration), as are the plain pews and red tiled floor. The earlier
legers were also perhaps relayed at this time. A triple arcade to the
N. aisle has doubly hollow-chamfered arches on octagonal capitals with
round shafts + base (except the half columns at either end, which are
half octagonal. (cf Ashford Church) The responds are also octagonal.
This arcade opens onto a narrow north aisle, which has a shed roof
(also of 19th century date), continuing the slope of the nave roof
though at a very slightly shallower pitch.
The aisle must have been added in the early 14th century
when the 3 trefoil headed windows in the north wall were made (they
all have new internal rear-arches, and the window to the west has been
entirely renewed externally). There is also a west lancet (also? early
14th century) to the aisle. The external quoins to the N. aisle and
N.E. chapel are larger side-alternate blocks of rag.
There is no chancel arch though the later medieval
springings for it are just visible on either side (also a broken
corbel to the north). The lean in the nave walls suggest that the arch
may have collapsed at an early date. There is an iron tie on the
south-east side of the nave externally. A large beam (dated 1633) now
runs across the gap, and it has various (?19th century as well as 17th
century) double-curved braces below and above it. Glynne tells us that
"the Decalogue" (ten commandments) was 'written on plaster
and supported on a beam'. This must have been removed in the 19th
century restoration when the area was opened up.
The chancel is dominated by the magnificent Edolph
monument (of 1632) in the N.E. corner. It has only a 13 century lancet
for its east window, with another on the S.E. side (both with moulded
rear-arches). There is also a two-light early 14th century window
(reticulated) on the S. side, and a c. 13th century sedilia. To the
east of this (and below the lancet) is a cinquefoil-headed piscina.
There is a c. 15th century crown-post roof over the chancel (with
ceiling below the rafters removed, probably in the 19th century). The
east end gable of this roof was renewed in November 1991, and at the
apex a ? late medieval grave-marked with simple inscribed crosses on
it had been fixed (? in the 19th century). It was taken down and
refixed. All of the lower parts of the E. quoins of the chancel have
been renewed.
North of the chancel, and connected with the latter
through a 19th century timber structure (the earlier arch may also
have collapsed), is a north chapel (perhaps dedicated to St. Anthony)
of early 14th century date. It is a little wider than the contemporary
nave to the west, and the arch connecting the two has also been
replaced with timbers. There is a N. doorway to the chapel (now in
brick externally) and a two-light early 14th century window next to it
on the east. The east window is now a 19th century lancet, with red
brick behind a render on either side visible externally. Glynne says
that it was 'a late and debased square-headed east window' in 1861. At
the S. end of the E. wall is a cinquefoil-headed niche (but with no
obvious piscina bowl). The chapel roof is a simple collar, brace and
rafter affair with small king-struts (above the collar) in the two
terminal (E. and LW.) trusses. It is perhaps early 14th century.
The main restoration was in 1880-1. The Pulpit and Reading Desk are
made up of late Medieval panels (and a few early 17th century ones)
that may well have come from Roodscreen. There is other panelling in
the chancel.
BUILDING MATERIALS (Incl. old plaster, paintings, glass, tiles etc):
The original church is made almost entirely with local ragstone
rubble. Better cut Ragstone blocks are used for later (early 14th
century) quoins, jambs etc. The S. porch of 1698 is of brick with
frags. of 17th century painted glass in its W. window.
There is a recent 1989) full report on the bells by Richard Offen (and
earlier 1968 report). There is quite a lot of Victorian glass. 5
windows were restored (and rededicated in 1950) after War Damage.
EXCEPTIONAL MONUMENTS IN CHURCH: Very fine large alabaster standing
monument to Robert Edolph and his wife (made in 1632) on the N. side
of the chancel.
Also 18th century Royal Arms board (dirty and high above tower arch)
and Martha Wade benefaction board (N. side of tower).
CHURCHYARD AND EVIRONS: Size:
Shape: Rectangular - a will of 1501 mentions 'a burial' in the
churchyard of Blessed Mary of Hinxhill.
Boundary walls: to N. and W. around original churchyard.
Building in churchyard or on boundary: Lychgate of 1895.
Exceptional monuments: Some 18th century tombstones. There is an area
reserved for Roman Catholics on the S.E. side of the churchyard.
HISTORICAL RECORD (where known):
Earliest ref. to church: Domesday Monarhorum as Haenostesyle (name
possibly from Hengests Hill or "Stallions" Hill -
Evidence of pre-Norman status (DB, DM, TR etc.):
Haenostesyle (perhaps Hinxhill) Pertains to Wye in DM - hence an
ordinary church.
Patron: The manor of Hinxhill - Earls of Athol (13th/14th century)
Other documentary sources: Hasted VII (1798), 564-6. Also see S.R.
Glynne Notes on the Churches of Kent (1877), 159-160 (He
visited the church in 1861). Also a 1552 inventory. [There is also a
charter of A.D. 871-99 (S. 1652) granting land to St. Augustines
Canterbury in Hengestelle] A will of 1510 mentions "the mending
of the tomb of St. William of Sherrifeld in the porch of
Hinxhill" (Test. Cant. (E. Kent), 167 and xiii) Wills also
mention the Rood light of Holy Cross (1497, 1501+1509), and lights to
Our Lady in the High Chancel - also a 'painting of the Tabernacle of
Blessed Mary' (1501), and the altar of St. Anthony of Hinxhill (1510).
SURVIVAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL DEPOSITS:
Inside present church: ?good
Outside present church: Some drainage channels have been dug around
the outside but the levels are raised quite a lot.
RECENT DISTURBANCES/ALTERATIONS:
To structure: E. gable of chancel being renewed in November 1991. Also
general internal redecoration. 'Thermodore 3-Micron Infra-red radiant
heaters were installed in 1961 (Faculty).
Quinquennial inspection (date\architect): December 1989 C.F. Northover
- who has done them since at least 1964.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL ASSESSMENT:
The church and churchyard: A good local example of an ordinary
13th/early 14th century parish church, though with many stability
problems (n the tower, and in the arches between nave/chancel and the
north chapel.
REFERENCES: (see documentary sources above) There are some useful
documentary notes in the Vestry chest/box (compiled 1980s), and a list
of Rectors (compiled 1896) from 1288. The first Galfrid de Wretton
(mentioned 1288) was also Rector of Godmersham. Also a few notes by
V.J. Torr (1932).
Guide book: Leaflet (n.d.)
Photographs: A recent set of B.+W. photos (mainly of W. tower) in
vestry chest.
Plans & drawings: Plan by C.F. Northover in Quinquennial.
DATES VISITED: 20th November
1991
REPORT BY: Tim Tatton-Brown