Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Norman with later additions and alterations. Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1066 to 1899. Former parish church, now in the care of the Redundant Churches Fund. The church is of Norman origins, with a 13th century chancel arch, the tower and nave roof are of 14th-early 15th century date. The church was altered in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the chancel and much of the south wall were refurbished in the 19th century. The chancel and north wall are of plastered stone but the tower and south wall of the nave are of large blocks of coursed sandstone ashlar, the medieval section of the south wall is of smaller less well-dressed blocks. The roof is of peg-tiles.

Monument Types

• CHURCH (Medieval to Modern - 1066 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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[TQ 63734451] St. Thomas a Becket's Church [NAT] (1) The church at Capel is dedicated to St. Thomas Becket the Martyr. The body of it has lately been rebuilt of brick; the chancel seems very ancient. It has long been a chapel annexed to Tudeley church and was anciently part of the possessions of the Knights Hospitallers. [Author gives details of patronage, etc. from c.1507] (2) St. Thomas of Canterbury, Capel "has some Norman remains, but it is chiefly of brick in the perpendicular style". (3) Capel. St. Thomas of Canterbury "Norman fabric of nave and chancel, western tower, original window on north side of nave; original king-post roof. The Chancel Arch 13th century. Windows 14th and 15th century. (4) This church is at present used for ecclesiastical purposes. The only part in brick is the vestry on the north side of the chancel. The remainder of the church is stone, with features as described by authority 4. There are several fragments of Mediaeval wall painting exposed on the north wall of the nave. (5) No change. (6) Parish Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury. Grade B. Norman foundation(for full description see list). (7) Additional bibliography. (8) Church of St Thomas A Beckett (formerly listed as Parish Church of St Thomas of Canterbury). Norman origins, C13 chancel arch, tower and nave roof are C14 or early C15, some C16 and C17 altrations, (fire in 1639), chancel and much of the south wall refurbished in the C19. Grade I. (9)

Description from record TQ 64 SW 38:
The following text is from the original listed building designation:
TQ 64 SW CAPEL CHURCH LANE
5/222 Church of St Thomas A Becket of (formerly listed as Church of 20.10.54 Saint Thomas of Canterbury) GV I
Former parish church, now in the care of the Redundant Churches Fund. Norman origins, C13 chancel arch, tower and nave roof are C14 or early C15, some C16 and C17 alterations (fire in 1639), chancel and much of the south wall refurbished in the C19. Chancel and north wall are plastered stone but tower and south wall of nave of large blocks of coursed sandstone ashlar, medieval section of south wall of smaller less well-dressed blocks; peg-tile roof.
Plan: Small church comprising nave with lower chancel and large but relatively short west tower. Access through tower. C19 vestry on north side of chancel.
Exterior: Single stage west tower has moulded plinth, low diagonal buttresses, crenellated parapet and pyramid roof surmounted by C20 cast iron weather vane. Belfry has large louvred lancets and tiny slit windows to the ringing floor. West doorway is a plain round-headed arch containing a C19 plank door with coverstrips. Above a C14 or early C15 window, a double lancet with cusped ogival arch heads.
Nave has low walls and tall roof. South side has a 4-window front. Left (west) bay has restored C16 2-light window (arch heads with sunk spandrels) with hoodmould. Rest rebuilt in C19 with similar Tudor-style 2 and 3-light windows separated by buttresses. Plastered north side of the nave contains 2 medieval windows, a large trefoil-headed lancet near the left end and a narrow lancet high in the wall near the centre. Chancel is also plastered. South wall has a late C18/early C19 priests door containing a very domestic-looking panelled door with plain hood on shaped timber brackets. East window is a C19 triple lancet in Early English style. Brick vestry windows have shoulder- headed lights.
Interior: Porch is inside the tower with plain plaster ceiling and plain (probably C19) timber stair. Doorway to nave has late C18/early C19 panelled door like that in the priests doorway. Tower and chancel have similar arches; 2-centred arches with semi-octagonal shafts, moulded imposts and double- chamfered arch ring. Nave has good C14 or early C15 roof; 3 bays with arch- braced tie-beams, octagonal crown posts with moulded capitals and bases, and common rafter trusses with soulaces. Similar common rafter roof to the chancel but it is C19. The walls are lime-washed. Towards the west end of the north wall there is an arch-headed niche, either a blocked window or doorway. The north wall also includes the extensive remains of apparently C13 mural paintings which extend into the reveals of the windows and niche. The narrative biblical scenes are described by Newman (see sources). At the east end is a part of a C16 painted figure and next to it, alongside the chancel arch, painted scrolled strapwork frame, presumably surrounding a now missing text. C20 tile floor with older tiles in the chancel. Chancel has C20 stone altar table. Good oak communion rail is carved with date 1682 and name of Michael Davis; moulded handrail, turned balusters and ball finials to the standards. C19 oak drum pulpit and pine benches. Plain, probably medieval, stone font has an octagonal bowl on a cylindrical shaft. The only monument is in the chancel, a plain marble plaque in memory of Thomas Martin (died 1834). The nave contains brass plaques to the dead of both World Wars. A nowy-headed board over the tower arch is painted with the royal Arms GR, and it is flanked by contemporary C18 boards with the text of the Lords Prayer and below the arch is flanked by similar commandment boards. Stained glass in the East window is dated 1905.
Sources: John Newman. West Kent and the Weald (1969) Penguin Buildings of England series, p.197.
Listing NGR: TQ6382444536 (12)

<1> OS 6" 1907-38 (OS Card Reference). SKE48320.

<2> History of Kent 5 1798 195 (Hasted) (OS Card Reference). SKE44131.

<3> Kent 1925 103 (JC Cox) (OS Card Reference). SKE45667.

<4> The Churches of Kent 1913 1 111 (F Grayling) (OS Card Reference). SKE50276.

<5> F1 ASP 12-JAN-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42068.

<6> F2 ASP 16-JAN-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE43118.

<7> MHLG Tonbridge RD Kent 2433/11/A Sept 1949 29 (OS Card Reference). SKE47179.

<8> Bldgs of Eng W Kent and the Weald 1980 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37967.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 64 SW 6 - January, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3272.

<10> Field report for monument TQ 64 SW 6 - January, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3273.

<11> DOE (HHR) District of Tunbridge Wells, Kent (Bidborough et al) 24th Aug 1990 219-220 (OS Card Reference). SKE40523.

<12> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading