SS. Peter and Paul, Boughton-under-Blean, Kent
I have an A-Z of all of Kent, and it with this, along with John Vigar's fine book on Kentish churches that guide me through this cornucopia of churches from the shining sea to the chalk downlands.
On occasion, it is a little confusing, as is the case with Boughton. It is a village I had not visited before, and was therefore surprised to find the main road through it as musy as the M25 and lined with parked cars. The two churches marked on this street, although fine, clearly were not the tradition two-cell Norman church I had been expecting. I did not feel to disposed to turn round and do it again. So, I decided to head to the A2, and it was on the slip road that I saw the sign pointing the way to the parish church.
I managed to swerve down the narrow lane at 40mph, and proceeded along looking for more signs to the church.
On a slight rise I saw the lych gate, so drew up outside and made sure I was parked safely, I got out to grab my cameras from the back.
A car pulled up, the window was wound down: are you lost? the driver asked. No, just came to visit the church says I. I suppose you'll be wanting to go inside, I have the key.
Well, that's very kind of you indeed, if it's not too much trouble, hoping it wasn't.
So, the gentleman and his wife did re-open the church, they had just ended the weekly clean, to allow me to snap it, and at the same time point out items of interest.
One of those visits which warm the heart at the luck and the warmth of my meeting.
--------------------------------------------------
The name Boughton appears many times in Kent and is usually supposed to have started life as `the settlement near the beeches`. Boughton under Blean therefore is distinguished from others in Kent by being the one near the great forest of Blean. Now a long way from the centre of population it must once have supported a sizeable community. The highlight of the church is a monument to Sir Thomas Hawkins. This was designed by Epiphanius Evesham (see also Lynsted). The family lived at Nash Court and became a centre of recusancy. There are many brasses in the church dating from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Boughton+under+Blean
-----------------------------------------------
St Peter and St Paul is a beautiful 13th century parish church overlooking secluded farmland in South Street, close to Boughton village. The church is run as a combined benefice with Hernhill, with alternating services in both churches every Sunday. It also serves the formerly separate parish of Dunkirk. Many events and some services also use the St Barnabas Parish Centre in the heart of Boughton village.
Today the church is regularly used for Christian worship and plays an important part in village life.
The parish church of St Peter and Paul lies in attractive countryside about a mile south of the main area of Boughton village. Boughton under Blean is mentioned in the Domesday Book; both church and manor belonged to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The village included a number of manors and hamlets, one of which was at South Street, which consists of a group of attractive houses and farms clustered around the church and spread along one of the pilgrims’ routes to Canterbury. The church is linked to Boughton by a well-used pathway still known as the coffin track and other footpaths continue on to the south.
Archbishop Lanfranc may have built the original church on this site, but the present 13th century church would have been the one seen by Chaucer’s pilgrims as they stopped at “Boughton under Blee”. Several of the South Street farmhouses are at least 15th or 16th century in origin, including Boughton Court Farmhouse, near the church, formerly the chief manor of Boughton. The church dates from the 13th century with chapels being added in the 14th century and the aisles and tower in the 15th.
The Grade I medieval parish church is of the highest quality in terms of its architecture. One of the best views is as you mount the steep hill from South Street. Much surrounding countryside is still used for traditional hop-growing. There are substantial historic houses nearby including Nash Court and Colkins whose families had strong associations with the church.
A 16th century timber screen separates the nave from the chancel and a 15th century timber screen separates the north aisle from the north chapel. A similar ancient screen separates the south aisle from the south chapel. On the north wall is a tiny broken staircase which gave access to the rood loft over the screen, but this was destroyed by Victorian restorers, along with the 17th century box pews.
The three-bay nave arcades, two-bay chancel and north chapel display typically Early English features, while the later tower with its west window and door, which is the main entrance, are Perpendicular. The building contains a number of wall-mounted monuments and memorials, in particular the fine collection, mostly 17th century, in the north chapel, which is also known as the Hawkins Chapel. The Chapel contains a fine monument to Thomas Hawkins and his wife, of Nash Court, by Epiphanius Evesham.
The large and steeply sloping churchyard contains a number of monuments and headstones of interest, and some fine trees. The largest of the yew trees, by the south door, has been traced back to its donation in 1695.
SS. Peter and Paul, Boughton-under-Blean, Kent
I have an A-Z of all of Kent, and it with this, along with John Vigar's fine book on Kentish churches that guide me through this cornucopia of churches from the shining sea to the chalk downlands.
On occasion, it is a little confusing, as is the case with Boughton. It is a village I had not visited before, and was therefore surprised to find the main road through it as musy as the M25 and lined with parked cars. The two churches marked on this street, although fine, clearly were not the tradition two-cell Norman church I had been expecting. I did not feel to disposed to turn round and do it again. So, I decided to head to the A2, and it was on the slip road that I saw the sign pointing the way to the parish church.
I managed to swerve down the narrow lane at 40mph, and proceeded along looking for more signs to the church.
On a slight rise I saw the lych gate, so drew up outside and made sure I was parked safely, I got out to grab my cameras from the back.
A car pulled up, the window was wound down: are you lost? the driver asked. No, just came to visit the church says I. I suppose you'll be wanting to go inside, I have the key.
Well, that's very kind of you indeed, if it's not too much trouble, hoping it wasn't.
So, the gentleman and his wife did re-open the church, they had just ended the weekly clean, to allow me to snap it, and at the same time point out items of interest.
One of those visits which warm the heart at the luck and the warmth of my meeting.
--------------------------------------------------
The name Boughton appears many times in Kent and is usually supposed to have started life as `the settlement near the beeches`. Boughton under Blean therefore is distinguished from others in Kent by being the one near the great forest of Blean. Now a long way from the centre of population it must once have supported a sizeable community. The highlight of the church is a monument to Sir Thomas Hawkins. This was designed by Epiphanius Evesham (see also Lynsted). The family lived at Nash Court and became a centre of recusancy. There are many brasses in the church dating from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Boughton+under+Blean
-----------------------------------------------
St Peter and St Paul is a beautiful 13th century parish church overlooking secluded farmland in South Street, close to Boughton village. The church is run as a combined benefice with Hernhill, with alternating services in both churches every Sunday. It also serves the formerly separate parish of Dunkirk. Many events and some services also use the St Barnabas Parish Centre in the heart of Boughton village.
Today the church is regularly used for Christian worship and plays an important part in village life.
The parish church of St Peter and Paul lies in attractive countryside about a mile south of the main area of Boughton village. Boughton under Blean is mentioned in the Domesday Book; both church and manor belonged to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The village included a number of manors and hamlets, one of which was at South Street, which consists of a group of attractive houses and farms clustered around the church and spread along one of the pilgrims’ routes to Canterbury. The church is linked to Boughton by a well-used pathway still known as the coffin track and other footpaths continue on to the south.
Archbishop Lanfranc may have built the original church on this site, but the present 13th century church would have been the one seen by Chaucer’s pilgrims as they stopped at “Boughton under Blee”. Several of the South Street farmhouses are at least 15th or 16th century in origin, including Boughton Court Farmhouse, near the church, formerly the chief manor of Boughton. The church dates from the 13th century with chapels being added in the 14th century and the aisles and tower in the 15th.
The Grade I medieval parish church is of the highest quality in terms of its architecture. One of the best views is as you mount the steep hill from South Street. Much surrounding countryside is still used for traditional hop-growing. There are substantial historic houses nearby including Nash Court and Colkins whose families had strong associations with the church.
A 16th century timber screen separates the nave from the chancel and a 15th century timber screen separates the north aisle from the north chapel. A similar ancient screen separates the south aisle from the south chapel. On the north wall is a tiny broken staircase which gave access to the rood loft over the screen, but this was destroyed by Victorian restorers, along with the 17th century box pews.
The three-bay nave arcades, two-bay chancel and north chapel display typically Early English features, while the later tower with its west window and door, which is the main entrance, are Perpendicular. The building contains a number of wall-mounted monuments and memorials, in particular the fine collection, mostly 17th century, in the north chapel, which is also known as the Hawkins Chapel. The Chapel contains a fine monument to Thomas Hawkins and his wife, of Nash Court, by Epiphanius Evesham.
The large and steeply sloping churchyard contains a number of monuments and headstones of interest, and some fine trees. The largest of the yew trees, by the south door, has been traced back to its donation in 1695.