Shadoxhurst (or Shadderherst, Shadowehurst, shadoxksherst, Shadoxhers and Shadokisherste as it has been known) is a parish in the Weald of Kent close to Romney Marsh. Phil pot defined the name as “the wood of shady oaks” in his History of Kent”.
The church dates from the 13th Century and is the oldest remaining building in the village. It consists of only one aisle and a chancel. Until 1788 a wooden tower rose from the ground at the western end and contained three bells. Two were sold and one remains in the turret with the inscription “By Me John Cole Bellfounder 1592”. Cole was a travelling bell founder from Arlsford in Hampshire.
The church was in a poor condition in 1868 and was pronounced dangerous and immediately closed. Rector Charles Rolfe and his wife raised the necessary funds for repair and it reopened in April 1869. In 1952 the church needed further repairs to the roof and turret and then in 1964 it closed again due to dry rot meaning the floorboards needed removal along with the pulpit, lectern and pews. In 1977 the current pews were brought in from a redundant church and local man Mr. Ivey cleaned, polished and reassembled them.
In 1985 parish treasurer Victor Cheeseman and his son Paul dismantled and rebuilt the porch which was in poor condition but used as much of the original material as possible.
According to the church notes the Font is lead lined and hexagonal - a style seen more in the Midlands than Kent. The memorial to Sir Charles Molloy on the north wall of the chancel is from the 18th Century and credited to Sir Charles Cheeres who normally did memorials for cathedrals. Opposite this memorial on a bracket are his “achievements” consisting of a Targe (shield), Helmet and Visor, Orb, Gauntlets and Sword. These are all ceremonial and were never worn but placed on the coffin for his funeral. Molloy’s tomb is in the graveyard.
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