Exploring Kent Churches
"John Vigar, I am certain, has visited more churches in England and Wales than anyone now living; more, probably, than anyone who has ever lived; and more, there is a fair chance, than anyone ever will".
Peter Ross, Steeplechasing published by Headline 2023.
Kent is the birthplace of Christianity in England. Long before St Augustine arrived in AD597 it had experienced the first wave of Roman Christianity and the church of St Martin in Canterbury is the oldest parish church in England that has been in continuous use since then. Kent has over 500 parish churches which, between them, show the architectural development of a period of over 1500 years and this lecture takes a chronological journey through the surviving evidence.
It looks at the architectural differences brought about by varied building materials; the importance of location; financial and artistic influences, and includes many churches that are little known or visited, as well as the more familiar buildings.
This lecture lends itself to a study day, or to a day-long tour to follow it up. These can be lead by John Vigar and often include visits to churches that are normally difficult of access and off the beaten track.
John Vigar is the author of Kent Churches published by Amberley in 2022.
Suggested reading
Kent Churches by John Vigar (2002)
England’s Thousand Best Churches by Simon Jenkins (2000)
Kent Country Churches by James Antony Sims (1989)
