St. Peter & St. Paul, Leybourne, Kent.

Leybourne originally had its name from the “Little stream” or Lillieburn as it was known in 941AD. The Saxon church was standing when the neighbouring castle was built by Sir Phillip de Lelebourne in 1166. It is believed that the Leybourne family name was so similar to Lilleburm that they merged over time.

From that family, the presence of Roger de Leybourne is evident when you walk into the church. He was the great grandson of Phillip and earned the trust of Edward I with the defence of of land in Gascony in France - the town of Libourme near Boudreaux is named after him. In 1270 Roger was sent to The Holy Land but it’s suggested due to ill health he didn’t make it and on his way back died in France. His heart was returned home and placed in the left casket of this shrine - the right casket was never used. The shrine was lost under rubble until Rector Charles Hawley discovered it between 1877-1914. Also in the church is a memorial to William, Roger’s son, who was the first Englishman to hold the title Admiral. 

Leybourne Castle 2023

Only one bell remains in the tower. Originally there were three then after the tower collapsed only two and in 1966 the tower suffered further damage from a thunder storm and only one bell was replaced. The church has historically been linked with the Hawley family and still holds patronage of the living members.