The Church of St Peter, Whitfield

St Peter’s is one of only twenty or so churches in Kent still displaying Saxon features, few others still retain a Saxon structure comparable to the nave and chancel at Whitfield.

The walls of the original nave and chancel are about 2 feet thick and built of flint. It is likely that the original Saxon stone church construction dates back to the second half of the tenth century.

Through medieval times the church underwent many modifications, and then, after the reformation, in 1557 it was reported to be in a state of some disrepair:

The chauncell utterlie fallen down and the church in almost lik case

Under Queen Elizabeth’s reign (1558-1603), and with the settlement of the Church of England as we know it, the church was once again repaired.

In the 17th Century the church underwent significant building works, only to once again fall into disrepair and decay in the 18th century.

In 1808 the church was once again renovated, and in 1855 substantial work was carried out to modify the layout of the church. Finally, in 1894, further works were completed to create the church we see now.

In 1972 the internal layout of the church was completely rearranged to position the altar against the North wall of the nave, where all of the congregation would be able to see it.

The church bell is thought to be the oldest in Kent, from the early thirteenth century.

Close by the church porch is a remarkable headstone recording the grave of the Cross family who between 1821 and 1835 buried eleven children.

The lych gate was erected in 1906 in memory of EW Mowll, a local solicitor. In the North West corner of the churchyard is a railed enclosure containing the Mowll family tombs.

Mowll & Mowll is still a prominent firm of solicitors in the town to this day.

This information was taken from ‘A Short History of The Church of St Peter, Whitfield’ written by Joyce Molyneux MA in 1992 and available from the church.

Click here for many more photos …

In the photos, the crucifix in the window behind the altar was fashioned from last year’s Christmas tree.

There has to be a story behind the church’s unusual weather vane, if anybody knows what it is and why, then please use the comments below …