Thirteen Centuries of St Mary’s

St Mary’s stands on one of the oldest Christian sites in Sandwich…

660’s 

Evidence of a nunnery founded on the St Mary’s site by Domneva, the sister of King Egbert of Kent

11th - 12th Centuries

Three churches built in Sandwich – St Mary’s being constructed in Caen stone consisting of a nave and tower – aisles were added later

13th - 15th Centuries

Chancel, with a rare ‘Banner Locker’ was added

During wars with France, Sandwich was brutally plundered and destroyed, St Mary’s was severely damaged by fire and looted in 1457 in the great raid launched from Honfleur (now Sandwich's twin town)

1579

An earthquake ‘which did shake and cleave the tower arches’ led to the collapse of the tower and spires several years later.

1675

Main structure had been rebuilt leaving clearly visible traces of each period of its architectural history.

Here it remained as a functioning parish church until1948

1948

St Mary’s became a ‘Chapel of Ease’ - A supplementary chapel to accommodate people living at a distance from their parish church.

1956

Proposals to demolish the Church were set aside to enable the ‘Friends of St Mary’s’ time to raise funds to carry out the necessary repairs required and leaving an endowment for future maintenance.

1985

St Mary’s vested with the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT)

2017

Partnership formed with Sandwich St Mary’s Community Trust (SSMCT) which serves to represent the wishes of the ‘Friends’.

Together we run a successful ‘Arts Centre’ attracting theatrical and musical events.