Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1080 to 1899. Norman church originally used as a chapel of ease for Maidstone. Additions and alterations took place during the 14th century and 15th century. The spire was constructed in 1861 and the north aisle enlarged in 1877. Other alterations also took place throughout the 19th century. The church is constructed of flint and ragstone with a plain tile roof.

Monument Types

• CHURCH (Medieval to Modern - 1080 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 75 NE 1 :
[TQ 7919 5816] St. Martin's Church [NAT] (1) The church of St. Martin, Detling, was originally a chapel of ease to Maidstone; the south wall of the nave is Norman, the remainder late 14th or early 15th cen. except the north aisle which was added in 1887. The church contains a 14th century oak lectern which is one of the oldest surviving in England. (2) In use for ecclesiatical purposes. (3) In normal use. (4) Parish church of St. Martin of Tours, The Street. Grade 1. c 1100 c 13 and c 15, restored in late 19 c. (5) Additional bibliography. (6) Listed Grade I confirmed. (7)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
TQ 75 NE DETLING THE STREET (north side)
5/141 Church of St. Martin 26.4.68 of Tours
G.V. I
Parish Church. C 1100 C 13 and C 15 restored in late C19. West tower, nave, south porch, chancel, north chapel, north aisle. West tower: in 2 stages. Galletted ragstone on plinth with diagonal buttresses. Shingled broach spire 1861 by R.C. Hussey. Single-light restored bell-chamber windows. Tall C19 3-light window over small arched Perpendicular west door, both with hood-moulds. Nave: early Norman. Flint with tufa quoins and plain tile roof. No plinth. 2-light Perpendicular window to right of porch. Porch: Perpendicular. Ragstone with plain tile roof. Moulded outer doorway. 2-centred arched door into church with cusped niche over. Chancel: early Norman. Flint, with tufa quoins to south-west corner,plain tile roof, no plinth. 3-light Perpendicular south and east windows. Roof partly overlaps that of nave. North Chapel: Perpendicular. Ragstone, on plinth, plain tile roof and diagonal buttresses. Independently roofed. Restored 2-light Perpendicular north window. North aisle: Early English, enlarged in 1887. Flint, with most of west wall in ragstone, and plain tile roof. On plinth. Roofed at higher level than chapel. 2-centred arched doorhead in west wall. Interior: 2-bay Early English arcade to aisle with wide plain arches springing from moulded imposts. Single-bay Perpendicular arcade between chapel and chancel. Original roof over chapel of common rafters with sous-laces and ashlar-pieces. Rest C19, that to aisle with members forming smooth semi-circular barrel vault. Traces of early window in south wall of nave. Fittings: Early, plain 12-sided stone font C20 base. Mid C14 wooden lectern, probably made for Boxley Abbey. 4 faces of head carved with pierced roundels, of quatrefoils, mouchettes and trefoils. Corner-pieces delicately carved with small animals, vines and an angel. Borders of small flowers and faces. Tenon for statuette above, and panelled octagonal stem with large, intricately carved buttressed foot. One of the finest and oldest remaining in England. (J. Newman, North East and East Kent, 19) Monuments: on south wall of north aisle; part of monumental stone tomb slab with figure of priest carved in relief. On south wall of chancel; monument to Mary Foote, died 1778. Delicately carved Strawberry Hill Gothic. Low panelled tomb chest under triple ogee canopy. Listing NGR: TQ7932458331 (10)

Archive material (11)

<1> OS 6" 1936-39 (OS Card Reference). SKE48340.

<2> MHLG (Hollingburne R.D) 2153/11/A Nov 1960 22 (OS Card Reference). SKE47052.

<3> F1 CFW 22.11.61 (OS Card Reference). SKE42696.

<4> F2 ASP 26.02.64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43169.

<5> DOE (HHR) Boro of Maidstone Detling Kent 20.7.84 73 (OS Card Reference). SKE39854.

<6> Bldgs of Eng NE & E Kent 1983 284-285 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37757.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 75 NE 1 - November, 1961 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3766.

<8> Field report for monument TQ 75 NE 1 - February, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3767.

<9> DOE (HHR) District of Maidstone (Bearsted etc) July-1984 (73) (OS Card Reference). SKE40492.

<10> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<11> Historic England, Archive material associated with church of St Martin of Tours' Church, Detling, Listed building (Archive). SKE53951.

Sources and further reading