Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1066 to 1876. Medieval origin, rebuilt in 17th c and restored in 19th c

Monument Types

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

Full description

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Description from record TQ 94 SE 6:
[TQ 9696 4453] St. Mary's Church [NAT] (1) The original church contained medieval work of several periods but was rebuilt in the 16th or 17th century. The north and south chapels were added in 1876 when the whole church was restored (2). St. Mary's Church is regularly used for ecclesiastical purposes(3). 5272 HOTHFIELD BETHERSDEN ROAD Church of St Margaret (formerly listed as Church of St Mary) TQ 94 SE 15/1 14.2.67 I 2. Built of Kentish ragstone. Chancel with north and south chapels. Nave with aisles and west tower with shingled spire. The interior has no arches separating the chancel from the nave or the chapels from the aisles. Three bay nave. The building contained mediaeval work of several periods but was badly damaged by lightning in the late C16 or early C17 and was rebuilt by Sir John Tufton, who died in 1642 and is buried in the church. The north and south chapels were added in 1876, when the whole church was restored. Credence and aumbry. Cinquefoil headed piscina and traces of sedilia. "The Lost Chord" was composed and first played on the organ here, when Sir Arthur Sullivan was a guest of Lord and Lady Hothfield. The churchyard contains some C18 stone headstones with hourglass, skull and cherub motifs, and oval bodystones.(4) St Margaret, long for its height, the length not countered by the squat, Decorated West tower. In 1598 the nave was gutted by lightning so only the West responds are medieval. Mostly the piers are of 1876 but the east pier on each side belongs to Tuftons restoration of 1603. (5)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 5272 HOTHFIELD BETHERSDEN ROAD Church of St Margaret (formerly listed as Church of St Mary) TQ 94 SE 15/1 14.2.67 I 2. Built of Kentish ragstone. Chancel with north and south chapels. Nave with aisles and west tower with shingled spire. The interior has no arches separating the chancel from the nave or the chapels from the aisles. Three bay nave. The building contained mediaeval work of several periods but was badly damaged by lightning in the late C16 or early C17 and was rebuilt by Sir John Tufton, who died in 1642 and is buried in the church. The north and south chapels were added in 1876, when the whole church was restored. Credence and aumbry. Cinquefoil headed piscina and traces of sedilia. "The Lost Chord" was composed and first played on the organ here, when Sir Arthur Sullivan was a guest of Lord and Lady Hothfield. The churchyard contains some C18 stone headstones with hourglass, skull and cherub motifs, and oval bodystones.
Listing NGR: TQ9533643406 (6)

Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2004, An arcahaeological watching brief during the excavation of a new drainage trench and soakaway pit in the churchyard of St. Margarets Church, Hothfield, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE12914.

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

<2> M.H.L.G (West Ashford R.D.) 1887/11/A Oct 1960 p.42 (OS Card Reference). SKE46232.

<3> F1 ASP 19-DEC-61 (OS Card Reference). SKE42179.

<4> DOE (HHR) Dist of Ashford B Kent Oct 1980 135 (OS Card Reference). SKE40182.

<5> Bldgs of Eng W Kent & the Weald 337-8 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37959.

<6> Field report for monument TQ 94 SE 6 - December, 1961 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4778.

<6> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading