KENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY  --Studying and sharing Kent's past      Homepage


Churches Committee
Kent Churches - Architectural & Historical Information

 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

To Kent Churches - Architectural & Historical Information Introduction          To Church Committee Introduction

For details about the advantages of membership of the Kent Archaeological Society   click here

Kent Archaeological Society is a registered charity number 223382
© Kent Archaeological Society October 2011

This website is constructed by enthusiastic amateurs. Any errors noticed by other researchers will be to gratefully received so that we can amend our pages to give as accurate a record as possible. Please send details too research@kentarchaeology.org.uk