Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1200 to 1958. Church comprising a 13th century nave and 14th century north aisle and northeast chapel. Additions also took place during the 15th century. In 1871-73 the chancel was restored, a restoration of the church also took place in 1895. Parts of the church were also reconstructed in 1950-58 following Second World War bomb damage. The church is constructed of flint and ashlar with a plain tile roof.

Monument Types

• CHURCH (Medieval to Modern - 1200 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TR 04 NW 15:
[TR 01134920] St. Cosmus & St. Damian's Church (Dis) (1) [NAT] The Church of St. Cosmos and Damien, Challock contains C13th, C14th and C15th work. It is being restored after bomb damage. (2,3) Church again in normal use. The dedication is as given in Auth 1. (4) TR 04 NW CHALLOCK CHURCH LANE (east end) 5/2 Church of St. Comas and St. Damian. 27.11.57 II* Parish church. Nave C13, north aisle and north-east chapel C14, C15 tower and south aisle windows; chancel restored 1871-3; general restoration 1895; nave arcade and south porch reconstructed 1950 - 58. Flint, knapped in chancel, rubble with ashlar quoins and dressings and plain tile roof. West tower, nave, aisles, south porch, chancel and north-east chapel. Tower in 3 stages, offset on plinth, with diagonal buttresses, string course, and battlements. Square stair turret in angle with south aisle, with octagonal battlemented top. South aisle with 3 offset buttresses, string course and parapet. North aisle with weathered plinth and 1 single and 1 double width buttress and angle buttress. 3 light C15 Perpendicular west window in tower under an ashlar strainer arch, with 2 light Perp. window over. Upper storey has 2 light Perp. windows on 3 faces, with single lights to stair turret. South-west window C14 ogee headed single light with 2 carved grotesque heads. South aisle with, to west, 2 light C15 Perp. window with renewed mullion in square headed opening with drip-mould and carved-head stops; to east C19 Perp. style tracery with multilated carved ends to moulding. South east window C15 Perp., 2 light with 4 lights over and drip mould extended left and right. North west window C14 single light ogee-headed. North aisle with to west C14 geometric 2 light windows, much repaired C19, and to east 3 light C15 Perp. with drip mould. Chapel east window C19 decorated style. Chancel south wall with west C19 2 light Perp. style; original C13 lancet; east a 2 light Perp. style. Chancel east window C19 Perp. style of 3 lights with 6 lights over. West door much repaired plank and batten, with doubled roll and hollow moulded surround; drip mould with ragstone strainer arch with ashlar keystone over. C20 south door and porch, and plain chamfered north doorway with traces of a lost porch. Interior: C15 tower arch with octagonal attached shafts. Nave of 3 bays. South west and 2 north west piers are late C13, round barely undercut mouldings. Rest of arcade is C20 following bomb damage 1944. North aisle and north east chapel of one build in C14, as wide and tall as nave, with large plinth and string course in chapel. No chancel arch, long low chancel now basically of 1871 - 3, step up from nave. C20 arch through to north-east chapel. Fittings holy water stoop by south door; wall bracket on south aisle east wall; ogee-headed piscina in chancel; plain chamfered piscina and stepped stone bench for sedillia in chapel Octagonal, c19 font. Screens: 3 bay C15 Perp. screen to tower, with traceried lights and carved panels. Screen from north aisle to chapel is C15 Perp. cut down to fit, now of 3 1/2 bays of 4 traceried lights with central double door. The large cross beam over has traces of fittings for rood loft and next to the screen in the north wall is spiral rood-stair with hollow chamfered doorways with 4 centred arches, and hinge brackets. Chancel screen, and return screen from chancel to chapel is C19, from Eastwell church, inserted 1895, of 7 bays to nave, and 7 bays to chapel. In the chapel C15 moulded candle beam with moulded spandrels. Fragmentary C15 glass in north aisle windows, and angels and shields with other fragments in south aisle east window. Brass in south aisle, 2 figures 1 foot high to Thomas Thorston, died 1504, and "Johan his wyff". Group of floor slabs in chancel, one with brass plaque, 1614 to "Searlis Hawker and Joane his wife". (5) St Cosmas and St Damian, A flint church badly damaged by a bomb in 1944 when the arcades were largely destroyed. It has been successfully repaired by T.W. Harrison (6)
Additional bibliography - not consulted. (7)

This church was, unfortunately, badly damaged in the 1940s, and then rebuilt in the early 1950s. In the spring of 1944, Eastwell Park became a tank training area, and during the summer of that year several flying bombs fell in the vicinity, all causing damage to the church. As well as this the church and churchyard were out-of-bounds to the parishioners (except for occasional burials), and no maintenance or repairs were carried out from 1943 until the end of 1945. In November 1945 `first aid' repairs were undertaken, but during the severe frost of early 1947, the piers disintegrated, and fell down, bringing down the nave and south aisle roofs in March 1947. The north aisle roof came down a little later, and there was further collapse in the north-east corner (with the screen being damaged) early in 1948. After a long bureaucratic `battle' with the War Damage Commission, the latter agreed to accept responsibility for the war damage in September 1949. During this long period of delay further deterioration took place to the fabric, and in the spring of 1949 the lead was stolen from the tower roof, and from the lining of the font. Repairs to the church finally started in November 1950, and the church was finally rededicated on 20th July 1958. Most of the north and south arcades were completely rebuilt, and new nave and north and south aisles roofs were made; the latter has a nearly flat roof with a continuous parapet (before the war the south aisle roof was a pitched one with eaves on the south). In 1953 the repaired north chapel was given wall murals by Rosemary Aldridge and Doreen Lister and two years later John Ward painted scenes on the chancel walls.

A chapel to Godmersham is first documented in Domesday Monachorum, and it is likely that the nave and western part of the chancel of the present church were first built in the very late 11th or 12th centuries. North and south aisles were added to the nave in the 13th century and at the same time a north-east chapel was added. The outer walls to the aisles and chapel were probably less far out than the subsequent ones. Only the two western engaged piers and one free-standing round pier at the west end of the north arcade now survive of the 13th century work. The original arcades are best described by Sir Stephen Glynne, who visited the church in 1859. He says: "The arcades are Early English, each of four pointed arches on circular columns, with moulded capitals and bases. There is no chancel-arch, and the fourth arch of the north arcade ranges with the chancel". He is mistaken about the south-arcade as there were only ever three arches here.

The north chapel, which was probably dedicated to Our Lady, and the north aisle were rebuilt and widened around 1300. This north-east chapel is of considerable interest even though its south arcade was renewed in the 1950s. Hasted tell us that: "In the north chancel, on the south side, there is a plain flat tomb, very ancient; and on the north side, a low plain tomb, coffin-shaped; and on the pavement, an ancient gravestone of the like shape, with five or six letters, in French capitals, remaining on the upper side, but illegible". This latter graveslab seems to have disappeared, though there are later graveslabs in the floor (including an 18th century brass), and some reset c.16th century floor tiles around a 19th century tiled centre. Hasted's southern tomb is more like a wall bench and steps down to the west. It is of Bethersden marble. The north tomb, of Purbeck marble, is very worn and has a foundation wall extending to the west from it. On the north wall of the chapel is a chalk block string course, with above it a blocked window (the internal jambs are visible). The three light east window has restored (Bathstone) reticulated tracery with internal chalk jambs. The external north-east quoin is of ironstone and Kentish Rag.

The north aisle also has a pair of two light Decorated windows and a north doorway (with scars for the pitched roof of a porch outside it). The west window of both the north and south aisles is a wide ogee-headed lancet. Originally the north aisle and chapel were unbuttressed. The south aisle on the other hand was buttressed when rebuilt a little later in the 14th century. Apart from its west window, it has two-light early Perpendicular windows with square hood-moulds and carved-head label stops. There is also a Ragstone south doorway (with a Caenstone hood), which has a stoup inside it on the east. The upper part of the south aisle wall and the roof were all renewed in the early 1950s.

The chancel was probably extended eastwards in c.1300 with a later 3 light east window in the Perpendicular style (totally restored in 1871). The base of this window was blocked up (?in 1871). On the south-east side of the extended chancel is a restored early 14th century 2-light window with head-stops. East of it the south-east quoin of the chancel (of Rag and Caenstone) has a mass dial. Inside is an ogeed trefoil-headed piscina. In the centre of the south wall of the chancel is a restored wide lancet. The chancel has a 19th century scissored roof, which Glynne tells us was boarded in 1859.

During the 15th century, a fine west tower with western diagonal buttresses was added to the west end of the nave. It has an integral square stair-turret on the south-east, which becomes octagonal only in the top stage. The turret and top of the tower have crenellated parapets, and all the main windows are in a later Perpendicular style with square hood-moulds. The smaller turret windows are rectangular. Most unusually there is a fireplace within the tower, and above the second stage of windows on the west is a cross in knapped flintwork (cf. the cross in the now-destroyed nearby church of Eastwell - see Kent Churches 1954 p.31). The walls of the tower are of ironstone and knapped flint (with some render) and there is a continuous plinth around the base. Inside is a large Ragstone tower arch, with hollow chamfers and pyramid stops. The Ragstone west doorway has a moulded hood with ironstone and knapped flint relieving arch above it. Inside are the original pair of 15th-century wooden doors.

Also of the later 15th century is a 2-light Perpendicular window (with square hood) on the S.W. side of the chancel. Buttresses (with plinths) and a Roof loft stair were added on the north side of the north aisle and chapel and a new 3-light window was put into the north chapel. Parts of the 15th century Rood screen survive in situ in the entrance to the north chapel, and relocated under the tower arch. There are also fragments of a Perpendicular screen (restored in the 19th century) between the chancel and north chapel, and an unusual moulded beam across the centre of the north chapel (perhaps for a Lentan veil).

The chancel was heavily restored in 1871, when much tracery was renewed, and given new choir stalls and roof. A raised dais for the high altar was made and the whole floor was tiled. There is a 19th century pulpit and font (Glynne mentions an earlier font) in the nave, but the 19th century pews here have been removed. There is also a 19th century south porch; all this work being carried out when the church eventually became a parish church in 1871. The extensive rebuilding of the church in the early 1950s has already been mentioned. (9)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
TR 04 NW CHALLOCK CHURCH LANE (east end)
5/2 Church of St. Cosmas and St. Damian
27.ll.57 II*
Parish church. Nave C13, north aisle and north-east chapel C14, C15 tower and south aisle windows; chancel restored 1871-3; general restoration 1895; nave arcade and south porch reconstructed 1950 - 58. Flint, knapped in chancel, rubble with ashlar quoins and dressings and plain tile roof. West tower, nave, aisles, south porch, chancel and north-east chapel. Tower in 3 stages, offset, on plinth, with diagonal buttresses, string course, and battlements. Square stair turret in angle with south aisle, with octagonal battlemented top. South aisle with 3 offset buttresses, string course and parapet. North aisle with weathered plinth and 1 single and 1 double width buttress and angle buttress. 3 light C15 Perpendicular west window in tower under an ashlar strainer arch, with 2 light Perp. window over. Upper storey has 2 light Perp. windows on 3 faces, with single lights to stair turret. South-west window C14 ogee headed single light with 2 carved grotesque heads. South aisle with, to west, 2 light C15 Perp. window with renewed mullion in square headed opening with drip-mould and carved-head stops; to east C19 Perp. style tracery with multilated carved ends to moulding. South east window C15 Perp., 2 light with 4 lights over and drip mould extended left and right. North west window C14 single light ogee-headed. North aisle with to west C14 geometric 2 light windows, much repaired C19, and to east 3 light C15 Perp. with drip mould. Chapel east window C19 decorated style. Chancel south wall with west C19 2 light Perp. style; original C13 lancet; east a 2 light Perp. style. Chancel east window C19 Perp. style of 3 lights with 6 lights over. West door much repaired plank and batten, with doubled roll and hollow moulded surround; drip mould with ragstone strainer arch with ashlar keystone over. C20 south door and porch, and plain chamfered north doorway with traces of a lost porch. Interior: C15 tower arch with octagonal attached shafts. Nave of 3 bays. South west and 2 north west piers are late C13, round, barely undercut mouldings. Rest of arcade is C20 following bomb damage 1944. North aisle and north east chapel of one build in C14, as wide and tall as nave, with large plinth and string course in chapel. No chancel arch, long low chancel now basically of 1871 - 3, step up from nave, C20 arch through to north-east chapel. Cont... Fittings: holy water stoop by south door; wall bracket on south aisle east wall; ogee-headed piscina in chancel; plain chamfered piscina and stepped stone bench for sedillia in chapel. Octagonal, C19 font. Screens: 3 bay C15 Perp. screen to tower, with traceried lights and carved panels. Screen from north aisle to chapel is C15 Perp. cut down to fit, now of 3½ bays of 4 traceried lights with central double door. The large cross beam over has traces of fittings for rood loft and next to the screen in the north wall is spiral rood-stair with hollow chamfered doorways with 4 centred arches, and hinge brackets. Chancel screen, and return screen from chancel to chapel is C19, from Eastwell church, inserted 1895, of 7 bays to nave, and 7 bays to chapel. In the chapel C15 moulded candle beam with moulded spandrels. Fragmentary C15 glass in north aisle windows, and angels and shields with other fragments in south aisle east window. Brass in south aisle, 2 figures 1 foot high to Thomas Thorston, died 1504, and "Johan his wyff." Group of floor slabs in chancel, one with brass plaque, 1614 to "Searlis Hawker and Joane his wife." Listing NGR: TR0079250596 (10)

Historic england archive material: BF008765 ST COSMUS AND ST DAMIANS CHURCH, CHALLOCK File of material relating to a site or building. This material has not yet been fully catalogued. Copyright, date, and quantity information for this record may be incomplete or inaccurate.

<1> OS 6" 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48369.

<2> Churches of Kent 1 1913 113 (F Grayling) (OS Card Reference). SKE38978.

<3> MHLG (1886/11/A July 1955) 18 (OS Card Reference). SKE46934.

<4> F1 ASP 09-MAY-1963 (OS Card Reference). SKE42017.

<5> DOE (HHR) Boro of Ashford Kent Aug 1984 18 19 (OS Card Reference). SKE39814.

<6> Bldgs of Eng NE and E Kent 1983 262-3 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37803.

<7> St Cosmus and St Damien 1966 (OS Card Reference). SKE49605.

<8> Field report for monument TR 04 NW 15 - May, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5159.

<9> Diocese of Canterbury (Tim Tatton-Brown), 1994, Church Survey - Church of St Cosmus and St Damien, Challock. (Unpublished document). SKE7575.

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

Sources and further reading