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- Sandwich, Kent (St Mary's Church)
The intimate and atmospheric St Mary’s occupies what may be the oldest church site in Sandwich where a 7th-century convent was founded of which nothing has survived.
There remain substantial parts of a large Norman church, despite the town having been sacked by the French in the 13th- and 15th-centuries, an earthquake in the 16th and the collapse of the tower in the 17th!
The north arcade was then replaced with slender columns of chestnut and the immense barn-like breadth of the nave and south aisle was roofed in one span.
The tower over the south porch has a wooden belfry built in 1718 and there are monuments from several periods and interesting fittings to discover.
To locate this church on a map, click on the 'View on map' link that appears below the address information at the top of the page.
Sandwich town centre
Nearest railway station: Sandwich (0.4 miles). Bus route number 14.
TR 329 584
01/05/12
Following on from the success of our Discover Wallpaintings project last year we are delighted to announce the launch of…
St Peter's Church, Sandwich, Kent
A landmark church that still rings a curfew. A church…
St Clement's Church, Knowlton, Kent
Cherubs bathe in coloured light
Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre
Evocatively sited amid the East Kent marshes, Richborough is perhaps the most symbolically important of all Roman sites in Britain, witnessing both the beginning and almost the end of Roman rule here.
Richborough Roman Fort
English Heritage property
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Click on images to view larger
The CCT is grateful to the Flickr group, Friends of the Churches Conservation Trust, for the images shown here. CCT is not responsible for the quality or content of images taken from Flickr.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church and the CCT before you visit?
You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.
Kent County Guide (PDF, 4.8mb)
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in Kent. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
St Peter's Church, Sandwich, Kent
A landmark church that still rings a curfew. A church from our finest shortlist.
Market Street, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9DA
See church page
St Clement's Church, Knowlton, Kent
Cherubs bathe in coloured light
Knowlton Court, Knowlton, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 1PT
See church page
All Saints' Church, West Stourmouth, Kent
A Saxon survivor in the Garden of England
Church Lane, West Stourmouth, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 1HT
See church page
Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre Evocatively sited amid the East Kent marshes, Richborough is perhaps the most symbolically important of all Roman sites in Britain, witnessing both the beginning and almost the end of Roman rule here. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/richborough-roman-fort-and-amphitheatre
St Augustine's Abbey This great abbey, marking the rebirth of Christianity in southern England, was founded shortly after AD 597 by St Augustine. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/st-augustines-abbey
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
All our Kent churches are in CCT’s South East region.
Let’s Visit Kent website - We are very grateful to Let’s Visit for providing our 360 tours of Kent churches. Please visit their website!
Best Places to Visit in Kent website
Kent County Council website history section
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
If the access information for this church is listed as 'Keyholder nearby', this means that the key is kept by one of our invaluable volunteer 'keyholders', who usually live just a short walk from the church and can give visitors the key; sometimes this is a nearby hotel, pub, library, art gallery or other venue. You will find instructions explaining how to get the key when you arrive at the church.
Wheelchair access needs prior arrangement. There is a disabled WC.
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating or running water meaning that they can be cold, and very rarely have toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor. We do apologise for any inconvenience the lack of facilities may cause.
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Yes, I've been to this church several times. I especially remember once when I read the old plaques. One of them tells us about a married couple whose children died young, one after another. It was so sad a story to learn, still then, hundreds of years after that family had lived in the parish.
Sadly too, the church is empty now and mostly out of use.
Just imagine, a handful of construction workers, interior decoration modest yet good, long-lasting quality, a congregation gathering there, praying, welcoming, mind-inspiring ...
St. Marys Church in Sandwich is still consecrated but it is also very well used as St. Mary's Arts Centre and has been considerably renovated - see their website - www.stmarysartscentre.org.uk