St Nicholas's Church, Harbledown , Kent

St Nicholas's Church, Harbledown Church

Image Source: Rob Baker

Situated roughly a mile outside of Canterbury, St. Nicholas was originally the church of a leper hospital founded by Archbishop Lanfranc in 1084. It was the first leper hospital in England. The chancel and nave both date back to 1084. The arch over the west doorway is also from the Norman-era. The north aisle and tower were added in the late 12th century and the unusually roofed south aisle in the 14th. Today the south aisle is used as a Lady Chapel dedicated to St. Thomas, while a chapel at the end of the north aisle, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is screened off and is used as a treasury containing artifacts from the Hospital and elsewhere. Hanging on the wall is a reredos that previously belonged to the Victorian church of St. Gregory the Great in Canterbury which closed in 1976 and is now used by the music faculty of Christ Church University. The wall paintings in the splays of the east window date from the 14th century and depict the Annunciation. There are some fragments of 14th century stained-glass remaining in the quatrefoil windows in the chancel; while the stained-glass in north chancel window is also of medieval origin and depicts a sainted bishop and a king. Underneath this window is a large Easter Sepulchre. The font dates from the 14th century and would have been used to baptise the children whose parents had leprosy and who would also have lived in this community at the time. The floor is paved with encaustic tiles and slopes down from the east to the west; presumably for the purposes of washing and disinfecting the church after services. Around 1400 it ceased to be a leper hospital and became a group of almshouses for the poor. The current almshouse buildings facing the church date from 1840 although the entrance is via a small stairway from the road, passing through the passageway of a gatehouse building that is also known as St. Nicholas' Farmhouse. A short distance away from the site is a well, with brickwork around it dating from the late 18th century. The key stone has been carved with the emblem of the Prince of Wales - a reminder that in 1376 Edward the Black Prince, sent for healing water from this well. The Black Prince is buried in Canterbury Cathedral. Text by Rob Baker

1851 Census Details

Seating Capacity: No return

Morning Attendance: 25

Afternoon Attendance: 36

Evening Attendance: No service

Architecture Details

Original Build Date/Architect: Medieval

Restoration:

Second Restoration:

Notes

Website

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