Big Lottery Funding - All Saint's has received a grant towards a new bolier. Click here for a link to the big lottery funding site

A big thank you to
the lottery fund for
their help with the
extension of
All Saints' Church

 

 

 
 
All Saints Church
Church Road, Hartley
location map             timeline            plan

 

A BRIEF HISTORY

In 1876 Hartley was described as a quiet, out of the way place with hop gardens on every hand, three or four comfortable farmhouses, a smith's forge and a few scattered cottages. The church of All Saints is mentioned as the only building of interest. The present building dates from the early 12th century and, like so many others, probably replaced one of Saxon origin. Amongst our neighbours, the churches of Fawkham, Ridley and West Kingsdown are of a similar age.

The church, which is flint with tiled roof, is a simple one comprising nave and chancel without aisles or chapels. A vestry and porch were added in the 19th century. All that remains of the Norman church are two small round-headed windows, one to the left of the porch as you enter the church, and the other in the north wall, and the impressive south door which still contains the original oak panels and wrought iron hinge work.

During the 13th century the chancel and chancel arch were rebuilt and, with the insertion of two large windows in the nave, the church took on its present shape. The only other remaining part of the medieval church is in the nave roof. Looking up, one can see the fine oak tie beams linking the north and south walls. On the top of these are three crown posts indicative of a 15th century date.

There is little in the church to remind us of the next three centuries. The parish registers should start in 1538 but the earliest register is lost. Now the registers of baptisms, marriages and burials start in 1712 and continue without a break to the present day. A Book of Remembrance was placed in the chancel in 1981 and records the names of departed loved ones.

During the last hundred years the church has undergone some necessary repairs and alterations. The east wall was rebuilt and vestry added in 1860-3. The stained glass in the south windows is of Victorian origin. The west wall and turret were rebuilt in 1892 and the porch in 1899. The bell turret, which existed in medieval times, is known to have been extensively repaired in 1750 and again in 1818. This caring work continues and the east window, which was filled with stained glass in 1898 to the memory of Adam Tait, was restored and re-ordered by the Friends of All Saints and parishioners with the generous assistance of the P & O Company in 1987.

© Fawkham & Hartley PCC 2001
LOCATION
     
All Saints Church 1876                                     All Saints Church 2001

TIMELINE
   

c. 1100

Normans built a little church here, probably replacing a Saxon church. Two windows and a door remain in the nave.

1115 The church at Hartley is included in the list of churches in Rochester Diocese.
1300 Chancel and chancel arch rebuilt; two large windows in Early English style inserted in nave.
1350-1400 Present font made; Robert Ryder of London made treble bell; scratch dial mounted on south wall.
1450-1500 Nave re-roofed and buttresses added.
1600 Panels in pulpit carved.
1712 Oldest entry in existing parish registers.
1728 Mural tablet placed in memory of James Burrow on north wall of nave.
1748 Oldest existing memorial in churchyard-to Richard Glover.
1771 Pack and Chapman of London made other bell.
1860-1863 Church restored: gallery removed, chancel roof retiled, east wall rebuilt, vestry added.
1882 Oak reredos carved by Rev. W.W. Allen
1887 Lychgate constructed by Rev. W. W. Allen.
1892 West wall and bell turret rebuilt.
1899 Porch rebuilt.
1946 Oak pews fitted
1971 Pulpit restored using panels from the 1600s
1974 Re-ordering of the church, with font moved to present position.
1987 East window restored and reordered.
PLAN
   
 
© Fawkham & Hartley PCC 2001
   
 

To contact us:

Parish Office
Fawkham And Hartley Church Centre
Ash Road
Hartley
Phone: 01474 630459
Email: parishoffice@fawkhamandhartley.org.uk

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