Located amongst woodland at the end of what is now a modern commuter-belt village, the church of All Saints originates from the 12th century, with the earliest date suggested c1115. The ancient wooden door is Norman, as are two small windows in the nave - the north window now filled with colourful stained-glass designed by Andrew Taylor to commemorate the Millennium, one of a pair with St. Mary's, Fawkham, also in the parish.
The chancel was added in the 13th century before the church was twice restored in the Victorian-era.Between 1860-63 the east wall was rebuilt and a vestry added to the north.Further restoration work was carried out in the 1890s when the western wall was rebuilt and the bell turret refurbished.The south entrance porch was added in 1899.
The font, made from Purbeck marble, dates from the 14th century.
It is located in front of a recess that was probably a medieval doorway.
The only significant memorial in the church can be found hanging on the north wall of the nave commemorating James Burrow (died 1729), topped with a carved helm and coat of arms and with two chubby faced cherubs below.
The patterned stained-glass windows are Victorian, dating from the 1860s restoration.The east window, by William White of London dates from the later restoration of 1898 and was given in memory of Adam Tait, the owner of the nearby manor house of Hartley Court and chairman of the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co.It was later restored in 1987 with financial assistance from the modern P&O ferry company.
In 2010 the church was enlarged with a western extension designed by architects Thomas Ford & Partners.Costing £330,000, the existing western door and window frames were removed and neatly reinserted into the modern extension. This enables the church to meet the needs of the 21st century by providing accessible kitchen, lavatory and meeting room facilities. Text by Rob Baker.
