St. Dunstan, Snargate, Kent

St. Dunstan was built in the late 12th Century. Snargate’s name is derived from “snare-gate” or sluice-gate erected in 1254 to maintain the waterway from Appledore to Romney. This is one of five churches in Kent dedicated to St. Dunstan, who was the Archbishop who died in 988. 

It is built of Kentish Ragstone and was originally just a chancel and nave with the north and south aisles being added later. In the 14th Century a more spacious east section was added. 

On the north wall opposite the main door is a terracotta coloured wall painting of a ship from around the year 1500. This painting was hidden under whitewash for many years. The design of the ship has been studied and it is suggested it is typical of the period of 1480-1520. It is classed as a ‘great ship’ rather than a ‘carrack’. It is suggested that the painting of a ship opposite a main door of a Marsh church meant that the church was a safe place to hide smuggled goods. There is a suggestion that in 1743 a large stash of tobacco was found in the belfry and a cask of Dutch gin was under the vestry table. 

Another interesting feature to be found in the church are the ritual protection marks or apotropaic marks - more commonly known as Witches’ marks. The word apotropaic comes from the Greek word for averting evil and can be found in stone or wood near doorways, windows and on stone columns to protect inhabitants and visitors from witches and evil spirits. Most of these marks come from a period when belief in witchcraft and the supernatural was more widespread and can be placed between the 16th to early 19th Century. 

A common witches’ mark, and the type found here, are daisy wheels, or hexafoils. These are flower patterns which vary in size. These were essentially graffiti of the era but were welcome and not seen as vandalism. Some churches such as St. Leonard’s in Hythe will have them next to pictures of animals, boats and mason marks.

Here are some other photographs from St. Dunstan Church.