Holy Trinity, Charing Heath, Kent

 

Charing Heath is a settlement within the area of Charing in the district of Ashford in Kent. It is located at the foot of the North Downs. The name Charing first appears in 799 as Ciorrincg which may come from the Anglo-Saxon word cerring, which means a bend in the road or possibly from Ceorra-ingas which means people of Ceorra.

 

Holy Trinity church was originally built in 1861 as an infant’s school and chapel of ease (A chapel of ease is a church building other than the parish church, built within the bounds of a parish for the attendance of those who cannot reach the parish church conveniently). In 1869 the chapel was extended to the east and a new school and vicarage were built. The enlarged church and churchyard was consecrated in 1872 and the ecclesiastical parish was created in 1874. Gifts of money and land from the Sayer Family of Pett Place, Charing, enabled the building of the church and the school. The school closed in 1960 and was sold as a private residence.

 

Electric heating was installed by the son and parishioners of Ralph Vincent Tremills (Parish Vicar 1927-1947) and his wife Alice Louise Tremills. The church remains well loved and looked after with well kept grounds and an active part in the local community.

Holy Cross Church, Bearsted, Kent.

 

I first visited the churchyard back in September 2022 and ended up distracted by the grave of John Dyke - you can read about him here. 

Bearsted is a village just outside of Maidstone. The main village has spread out away from the church but the village green is still within a stones throw of the church. The church itself is a Grade I listed building with a partially Saxon stone arch. On the church tower there are three stone beasts and many will tell you here are the bears of Bearsted. These were possibly originally wolves from the coat of arms of the Fludd family. The Anglo-Saxon name for the area was Berghamstyde meaning “place on the hill/barrow”. Construction of the church began in the 13th century and continued to the 15th century. It is built from local ragstone. 

The church has a small graveyard with a larger east extension. The original graveyard has a listed war memorial. Standing in the actual church you’ll find some clever use of space - the organ is now located above the vestry. There is room to walk under the pipes of the organ and an upstairs area has been created to the rear of the church. The choir has been moved behind the altar and the church has a generally very loved and active feel to it. Immaculate in its cleanliness this building is obviously still an important part of the local community.