St George's Church, Deal , Kent

St George's Church, Deal Church

Image Source: Rob Baker

Deal's increasing prosperity as a fishing town and Royal Navy base during the latter years of the 17th century necessitated the construction of a new church. The original parish church of St. Leonard's was some distance away from the new town that was rapidly developing along the seafront. Construction began in 1806 under the direction of local architect Samuel Simmons although the church was not completed until 1816 by which time nationally renowned architect John James had become involved in the project. The red bricked church with its landmark timber cupola cost £2,560 to build, of which £2,000 was raised through the taxation of coal imported into the town after 1712. Dedicated to St. George in honour of King George I, who succeeded Queen Anne in 1712, it soon became the civic church of the town. The new King's Royal Arms, dated from 1715, hang above the western gallery. Despite a major re-ordering in 2007 when the 19th century wooden benches were removed from the nave, St. George's still retains a number of its original features, including the galleries on the north, west and south sides, which are still in good condition. The north gallery contains an elaborately carved Corporation Pew with a padded Mayoral Chair at its centre. This seat overlooks the nave above a carving of the Corporation coat-of-arms on the gallery wall. There is also a tiny additional second-floor gallery at the west end. This was used by the fishermen and was originally completely separated from the rest of the church with its own entrances and exits. In the 18th century church attendance was compulsory but the nature of the changing tides meant that fishermen often had to set sail during the services and therefore had to leave quickly without disrupting the gentry! The church contains a large number of plaques commemorating Royal Navy officers and other civic notables including the local postmaster! Hanging next to the east window is a memorial commemorating Deal-born poet and writer Elizabeth Carter (died 1806). She was an influential member of what became known as the "Blue Stocking Circle," a movement promoting the social education of women. The church was restored in the 1870s when the original box pews were replaced with plain wooden benches. The north and south entrances were bricked up and vestries added to the west end, replacing a former tower. Further west extensions were added between 1979-81. The most recent refurbishment in 2007 also saw a total immersion baptistry built into the chancel floor. The east window of 1950 by Hardman has a fitting nautical theme; depicting Jesus appearing to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. The bottom panel shows Deal's streetscape as viewed from the sea. This window replaced one from 1867 depicting Faith, Hope and Charity which was destroyed in a bomb blast during WWII. A fragment containing the word "HOPE" was salvaged from the wreckage and reassembled into the new window where it faces outwards into the churchyard, which contains a recent memorial to victims of the Holocaust and all Genocides with a quote from Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. The churchyard also contains the tomb of Edward Thornborough Parker, a close associate of Nelson, who died in 1801 after being wounded at the Battle of Boulogne. It is a simple square column in the south west corner which was paid for by Lord Nelson himself. Text by Rob Baker.

1851 Census Details

Seating Capacity: 1057

Morning Attendance: 770

Afternoon Attendance: 442

Evening Attendance: 824

Architecture Details

Original Build Date/Architect: Simmons 1706

Restoration:

Second Restoration:

Notes

Website

http://www.stgeorgesdeal.org.uk

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