An ancient debt repaid, two sister churches reunited

As it nears the sea, the river Medway sinuously cuts its way through the North Downs of Kent.
About a mile from its western bank, on a route well-trodden by Neolithic man and later by pilgrims on their way to the shrine of St. Thomas Beckett to a nearby fording point stands Paddlesworth and the tiny Norman Church of St. Benedict.
Some one and a half miles further on, hidden deep in a valley of the Downs lies its ‘sister church’ of Dode.
Both churches were built within a generation of the Norman Conquest to administer to their rural parishes, both areas were affected by the Black Death, economic and social changes, and the churches made redundant.
Dode was abandoned immediately following the Black Death. It’s priest and any remaining congregation being welcomed at St. Benedicts in the valley below, where a decimated population hung on, however as a result of further economic and population change, it too closed in the late 18th century.
Situated in a viable agricultural area, St. Benedicts was utilised as a farm building and eventually came under the care of The Churches Conservation Trust, although as a result of its isolated position it is very rarely used.
Situated in an unproductive valley Dode remained unused, ruinous and practically forgotten until 35 years ago when it was purchased and conserved at his own expense by a local man.
It gradually reinvented itself as a successful working ‘church’ on Nature Based and Humanist principles.

Doug Chapman, Dodes Keeper takes up the story:
“I frequently pass through Paddlesworth on my way to Dode for a wedding, a celebration of life or one of our many social functions. Although well cared for, St. Benedicts is usually empty and alone, whereas I know that I will have trouble finding a space in our car park.
A joint open day of both churches in the summer revealed a very considerable public interest in the history and relationship of both buildings and it occurred to me that as, some 650 years ago St. Benedict provided help and a spiritual home to Dode’s priest and any surviving parishioners it was high time that the debt was repaid”.

This decision was further prompted by a lecture to the CCT by the author of ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’, Sir Simon Jenkins entitled ‘Use them or Lose them’.
A proposal was made and accepted by the Trust for Dode to use the experience that Dode has gained over the last 35 years to bring meaningful life back to this lonely, sacred place.
A number of events are now being planned for the forthcoming year, spearheaded by two of Dode’s enthusiastic volunteers, supported by its small team and a commitment of financial support by nominating St. Benedict as it’s chosen charity.

Finally it is important to stress that although Dode’s spiritual path is vastly different,
St. Benedict is, and remains rooted in the Christian tradition.
 

St. Benedict’s, Paddlesworth, is a Grade II* listed building under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.