Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade I listed building. Main construction periods 1167 to 1899 Church constructed during the late 12th century, probably circa 1190 but reduced in size during the 15th century, and restored in the 19th century. The outline of the demolished north arcade of the church comprising five pointed arches is visible as is a blocked south arch and blocked doorway to the rood loft. The church is constructed of flint and rubble, part rendered, with a tile roof. It was the mother church of Birchington until 1871. There was also a Saxon minster at Monkton which was founded before 700

Monument Types

• MINSTER (CHURCH, Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 600 AD? to 700 AD?)
• CHURCH (Medieval to Modern - 1167 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TR 26 NE 15:
[TR 27896526] Church (NAT) (1) The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Monkton, is 13th c. and later. (2) In normal use. (3) Church of St Mary Magdalene, Monkton Street, Monkton. Grade I. Parish church. Late C12, reduced in size and altered C15. (4) [For full description see list] St Mary Magdalene. Flint, rendered. Conceived on a large scale c1190and reduced to chancel, nave and west tower in the 15th century. Perpendicular two-light windows in the chancel and the nave, but the outline of a demolished north arcade of five pointed arches can be made out. One blocked south arch, with a blocked doorway to the rood loft. Unbuttressed tower, with lancets low down and a Perp top stage. The chancel arch is pointed and just chamfered with semicircular responds, scallop capitals and waterholding bases with undercurled spurs. The piscinas may be early with its plain round arch. Crown post roofs. (5) Additional bibliography. (6,7) TR 279653. Medieval church still standing and in use. This was the mother church of Birchington until 1871. (8)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
MONKTON MONKTON STREET TR 26 NE (South side) 1/68 Church of St. Mary 11-10-63 Magdalene GV I Parish Church. Late C12, reduced in size and altered C15. Flint and rubble in part rendered, and plain tiled roof. Chancel, nave with north porch and west tower. Three stage west tower with lancets, some blocked, those in upper stage with trecusped heads. Heavily eroded west doorway with hood mould. Exposed jambs in nave north wall and 1 bay only on south wall of demolished arcading. North porch restored C19. C15 fenestration, with 3 light east window with quatrefoiled heads. Interior: evidence of demolished 5 bay north arcade. Roof of 4 crown posts in nave, and double rebated pointed tower arch with moulded abaci. Pointed chamfered chancel arch on semi-circular responds with scalloped capitals and spurred bases. Octagonal corbels (for rood beam?) on responds (blocked rood loft door to right of chancel arch in nave). Roof of 2 crown posts in chancel. Fitting: piscina in chancel, low in wall, round arched head. Water stoup by nave north door. Fine iron wall safe in nave south wall. Pulpit, early C17, pentagonal on column, with arcaded panels, heavily enriched with arabesques, with modillion cornice, Fleur-de-lys marquetry panels and cock's head hinge to door. C18 octagonal marble font. Brasses: 36½ in. figure of Priest in nave, c. 1460. Palimpsest inscription on Flemish brass dated 1503 with part of priest's robes. Monuments: Francis Blechynden, d.1611, alabaster wall plaque, with enriched side pieces. Thomas Denne, e.C19, wall monument with large draped sarcophagus, signed Longley (Canterbury). Lozenge-shaped painted coat of arms. Early C20 wall clock, heavily ornamented surround. (See BOE Kent II, 1983, 398.)
Listing NGR: TR2845965170 (11) Historic England archive material (12)

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

<2> MHLG (2067/11/A Sept 1960) 27 (OS Card Reference). SKE46995.

<3> F1 ASP 27-SEP-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42321.

<4> DOE (HHR) Dist of Thanet Kent 1986 29 (OS Card Reference). SKE40363.

<5> The Buildings of England North East and East Kent 1983 398 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE50198.

<6> Arch Cant 12 1878 269-282 (E H MacLachlan) (OS Card Reference). SKE34663.

<7> Arch Cant 12 1878 394-397 (editor) (OS Card Reference). SKE34666.

<8> Isle of Thanet Arch Unit Sites and Mons Archive 1988 Record no 292 (OS Card Reference). SKE44713.

<9> Field report for monument TR 26 NE 15 - September, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5814.

<10> Diocese of Canterbury (Tim Tatton-Brown), 1993, Monkton, St Mary Magdalene: Diocesan church survey (Unpublished document). SKE29446.

<11> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<12> Historic England, Archive material associated with The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Monkton, Listed Building (Archive). SKE55230.

Sources and further reading