Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The church of Allington is dedicated to St. Lawrence. It has always been an appendage of the manor. The pre-1132 church was rebuilt in the 19th century, except for the lower part of the tower on the north side, which incorporates the porch. No longer in ecclesiastical use.

Summary from record TQ 75 NW 212:

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1300 to 1899

Monument Types

• CHURCH (Medieval to Modern - 1300 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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[TQ 7481 5779] Ch. [NAT] (1) The church of Allington is dedicated to St. Lawrence. It has always been an appendage of the manor. [Gives list of rectors from temp. Edw. I.] (2) St. Lawrence, Allington, consists of a nave and chancel only, the nave is lofty. There is a north porch surmounted by a wooden belfry. The south doorway has a rude semi-circular arch, now walled up, and the north doorway is Early English but plain. The nave has lancet windows, one trefoiled, and the chancel has two on each side. The walls are of flint and plaster. (3) The church dedication appears as St. Laurence on the name board. List of Rectors in the porch begins in 1132. The church has been rebuilt in 19 c., except for the lower part of the tower on the north side, which incorporates the porch. This retains the Early English doorway, mentioned by Auth. 3. The church is at present in use for ecclesiastical purposes. GP/AO/59/8/7 of North doorway (from North). (4) In normal use. (5) Church of St. Lawrence. Grade C. A small cruciform 19 c. church with a 14 c. porch retained from the mediaeval church which it replaced. (6) Additional bibliography. (7) No longer in ecclesiastical use. (8)

Description from record TQ 75 NW 212:
Listing Text:

883/8/169 CASTLE ROAD
30-JUL-51 (Northwest side)
FORMER CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE

(Formerly listed as:
CASTLE ROAD
CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE)

II
A C19 rebuilding but preserving a medieval N doorway in the N face of the tower. Architects unidentified.

MATERIALS: Local sandstone rubble and ashlar with freestone dressings. Red clay tile roofs

PLAN: Nave, chancel, NW tower-porch, S transeptal projection, probably former vestry (N).

EXTERIOR: At the NE corner is a large squat, unbuttressed tower which, on its N face, incorporates a pointed medieval doorway with a moulded arch and a hood-moulded with stops. At the top of the tower are plain single-light lancets. The spire too is squat and is of the chamfer type. The E end has a pair of lancet windows with a circular, cinquefoiled window between and above them. The W window has three lancets grouped under a hood-mould. There is no distinction between the levels of the nave and chancel roofs. On the S side there is a gabled projection with a pair of lancet windows in the S wall.

INTERIOR: Not inspected. The interior has been converted into living accommodation.

HISTORY: This former church was converted to residential use c1980.

SOURCES:
Newman, J., The Buildings of England: West Kent and the Weald (1980), 128.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION:
The former church of St Lawrence, Allington, is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* It is a picturesque, small-scale C19 rebuilding of an earlier church and which incorporates a medieval doorway in the N face of the tower.
* The site has archaeological potential /sensitivity in terms of the below-ground remains of the medieval church and burials. (10)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
CASTLE ROAD 1. 5278 ALLINGTON (North-West Side) Church of St Lawrence TQ 75 NW 8/169 30.7.51. C
2. A small cruciform Cl9 church with a Cl+ porch retained from the mediaeval church which it replaced. Above the porch is a low tower with broached shingled spire. Ashlar. Tiled roof. Lancet windows. Listing NGR: TQ7411057051 (10)

<1> OS 6" 1938-48 (OS Card Reference). SKE48355.

<2> History of Kent 2 1782 185 (Hasted) (OS Card Reference). SKE44103.

<3> Churches of Kent 1877 323 (Sir Stephen R Glynne) (OS Card Reference). SKE38984.

<4> F2 ASP 26.05.59 (OS Card Reference). SKE43170.

<5> F3 ASP 24.02.64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43375.

<6> DOE (HHR) Boro of Maidstone Kent 2nd Aug 1974 16 (OS Card Reference). SKE39884.

<7> Bldgs of Eng-West Kent & the Weald 1980 128 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE38134.

<8> Goacher, D.J., 2008, Personal Communication By Heritage Volunteer. (Verbal communication). SKE13345.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 75 NW 18 - February, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3871.

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

Sources and further reading