The following details are taken from the info sheet in the church.
Two thirds of the building is pre-Norman and may have been built in the time of Edward the Confessor. The middle window of the north wall is original. The construction is of local stone, with harder Caen or Quarr stone used for the quoins.
On the north wall of the Chancel is a rare dedication stone, made of Caen stone, that, when translated from the Latin, reads: "The nineteenth of the Calends of September (14" August in the modern calendar), on the day of St. Eusebius, Confessor, the church was dedicated in honour of Blessed Mary, Mother of God': Sadly the year of the dedication was not added. Such a dedication to the Mother of God was common in the Greek Church, and it is possible that the dedication was chosen by Theodore of Tarsus who was Archbishop in the year 668.
In about 1200, under the Abbot and Convent of St Radigund's Dover, the Chancel was added, which was lengthened in the 14th Century.
These two associations explain why Postling church is dedicated to 'St Mary and St Radigund'
The Nave
Just inside the entrance door is the square font, standing on a plinth of Bethersden marble. On the south and west walls are remains of frescos. It seems that originally they extended all of the way round the church.
The roof is supported by Kingposts.
CHANCEL
In the Eastern face of the Chancel Arch is an irregular arch of uncertain use. Against the North wall is a small but interesting stone bearing the inscription {ad} XIX Kal Sepbr S Eusebii Cfsr die, hec eccla frui dedicata in honre SCE Di Matris Marie.
This may be translated: -"Nineteenth Calends of September [14 August] on the day of St.Eusebius, Confessor, this Church was dedicated in honour of St. Mary Mother of Good."
It is a pity no date was added.
About half way up the Chancel, at the same height as the Rood loft, are two pairs of plain stone corbels, of which one retains a portion of a beam. These are fourteenth century work, and are situated about three feet apart, obviously to support a small platform. Possibly this held a reliquary or the figures of the patron saints.
The two Western most windows of the Chancel are plain lancets. The other two are a little later. The East window has been renewed.
SANCTUARY
On the North wall is a small AUMBRY, and on the South wall an early PISCINA.
On the floor is a stone coffin lid.
THE TOWER
In the Belfry hangs a ring of three bells.
38" cast by William Le Belyetere of Canterbury, circa 1328
35" cast by William Le Belyetere of Canterbury, circa 1320
33" cast by Joseph Hatch of Ulcombe 1623
These ancient bells were repaired and re-hung in 1979 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
The Parochial Church Council records its appreciation of the invaluable advice and skilled work of David Joyce of Lyminge.
2 comments:
Interesting.amazing what has survived over the centuries.
With so much change it is refreshing to find these constant landmarks preserved in time.
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