Kent is often referred to as 'the cradle of English Christianity'.
Canterbury is not only home to the Anglican Communion but also the
location of St Martin`s church, the oldest church in England in
continuous use. Kent's religious heritage has benefitted from this as
has its proximity to both the continent and London. Architecturally, the
churches of Kent range from premier Norman churches to tiny manorial
churches that still sit in sequestered churchyards having, apparently,
been forgotten for centuries. These churches are distinguished by a
greater than usual diversity of building material, from the poor quality
but distinctive Kentish Ragstone or flint nodules from nearby fields to
excellent quality limestone imported from Normandy and locally produced
bricks. Kent's churches also display glimpses into national history with
links to early saints like St Mildred and St Sexburga through to
Archbishop Thomas Becket, Anne Boleyn, Charles Dickens and Winston
Churchill.In this book author John E. Vigar examines not only examples
of the great church building campaigns of the medieval period but also
later churches. Many have furnishings and memorials where individuals
showed their importance in society by beautifying churches to their own
glory, including Lullingstone, which was brought up to date in the early
eighteenth century by its rich patron, Sir Percival Hart, and examples
where new money from industry influenced the county's churches in the
Victorian period, outstanding among which is Kilndown.This fascinating
picture of an important part of the history of Kent over the centuries
will be of interest to all those who live in or are visiting this
attractive county in England.
