Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1300 to 1799. A parish church with 14th century Chancel and nave. The tower is 15th century. Chancel, nave, north and south proches and west tower. The church is sometimes called the Barn of Kent, on account of the design of its roof and the width of the nave.

Monument Types

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

Full description

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(TQ 86984229) St. Michael's Church (NAT) (1) The Church of St. Michael, Smarden, is sometimes known as the Barn of Kent because of the design of its roof and width of the nave. The chancel and nave are 14th cent. and the tower 15th cent. (2) St Michael's Church (church notices). In regular use for divine worship. (3) Checked and correct. (4) 5272 Church of St Michael, The Street, Smarden TQ 8742 23/1; TQ 8842 29/1 14.2.67 Grade 1. Chancel, nave, north and south porches and west tower. Chancel and nave C14. Tower C15. Two piscinas and sedilia and aumbry. The church is sometimes called the Barn of Kent, on account of the design of its roof and the width of the nave. The churchyard contains some C18 table tombs and headstones, some double with cherub, skull or boneand mattock motifs. (5) St Michael, built of stone, at one go, in the second quarter of the 14th century, restored by Clarke in 1869. (6) Full history and description of Smarden Church. (7) Additional bibliography - not consulted. (8 9 10)

Description from record TQ 84 SE 174:
The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 5272 SMARDEN THE STREET Church of St Michael TQ 8742 23/1 TQ 8842 29/1 14.2.67.
I
2. Chancel, nave, north and south proches and west tower. Chancel and nave C14. Tower C15. Two piscinas and sedilia and aumbry. The church is sometimes called the Barn of Kent, on account of the design of its roof and the width of the nave. The churchyard contains some C18 table tombs and headstones, some double with cherub, skull or bone and mattock motifs.
Listing NGR: TQ8797942292 (13)

Archive material (14)

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

<2> MHLG (West Ashford RD 1887/11/A Oct 1960 6 (OS Card Reference). SKE47064.

<3> F1 ASP 08.12.61 (OS Card Reference). SKE41994.

<4> F2 ASP 08.01.64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43088.

<5> DOE(HHR) Boro of Ashford Kent Oct 1980 233 (OS Card Reference). SKE40823.

<6> Bldgs of Eng W Kent & the Weald 1980 531-2 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37911.

<7> Arch Cant Vol 14 1882 18-34 (F Haslewood) (OS Card Reference). SKE36376.

<8> Church of St Michael the Archangel, Smarden n.d. (L Evans) (OS Card Reference). SKE38975.

<9> Church of St Michael the Archangel Smarden Kent 1965 (H G Askwith) (OS Card Reference). SKE38973.

<10> Church of St Michael the Archangel Smarden n.d. (H G Askwith) (OS Card Reference). SKE38974.

<11> Field report for monument TQ 84 SE 1 - December, 1961 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4380.

<12> Field report for monument TQ 84 SE 1 - January, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4381.

<13> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<14> Historic England, Archive material associated with St Michael's Church in Smarden, Listed building (Archive). SKE54212.

Sources and further reading