Holy Trinity, Larkfield, Kent

Holy Trinity, Larkfield Church

Image Source: Rob Baker

Built in 1853-54 as a chapel-of-ease to St. James the Great in East Malling, in whose parish the then-sparsely populated farming hamlets of Larkfield and New Hythe lay. The finance was provided by St. James' patron, J.A. Wigan, of Clare House, a large manor in East Malling. A site was chosen on a piece of high ground overlooking the main road from East Malling to the River Medway. The architect was R.P. Pope of London - not famous for his ecclesiastical commissions - but his work here is striking and somewhat unusual. Dedicated to the Holy Trinity and constructed using locally quarried Kentish ragstone rubble, this loosely Early English design is far from being a "textbook" Victorian church. The focal point is its west end. Its visibility was vital as this is the only part of the church that can be seen properly from the main road. It is almost French in design with a circular rose window, but the architect has been particularly flamboyant with his design of bellcote. Three bells are supported, with the top one covered with a triangular hood. A corbel head looks westwards, overlooking what was once fields and farmhouses. The nave is high and illuminated by eight clerestory windows, beneath which the roof is supported by corbels of carved angels. Four arched bays lead to a south aisle and a south porch - the only public entrance into the church. Four arcades have been incorporated into the north wall. It is unclear whether it was planned to enlarge the church with the addition of a north aisle, or whether these arcades were merely a decorative feature. Either way, the north aisle was never built. The chancel is diminutive, with three narrow lancet stained-glass windows above the altar depicting scenes from the life of Christ designed by Charles A. Gibbs, installed in 1858. The reredos is a simple sculptured panel depicting the Last Supper, set centrally amongst a row of "mock Norman" columns. Gibbs also designed the glass at the west-end. Two narrow lancet windows feature Moses and Elijah underneath the pièce de résistance rose window which depicts a further ten figures from the Old Testament: Abraham, Abel, Isaac, Jacob, Enoch, Joseph, Samuel, Elisha, King David and Noah. The stained-glass windows on the south wall of the chancel feature Daniel (missing from the rose window) and John, described only as "The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved." Both windows were manufactured by Heaton, Butler and Bayne. The stained-glass window on the north wall of the nave depicting the Nativity by William Wailes, was moved in 2004 from the south aisle where it had previously been obscured by the organ, a 1926 model manufactured by Monk & Gunther. In 1894 the church was restored when the chancel walls began to subside, resulting in the correctional tie bar that can be seen above the chancel arch. Changing ecclesiastical practices had led to a greater emphasis on choral worship, and R.P. Pope's original chancel had proven too small. The easternmost bay of the south aisle was converted into an organ chamber while the corresponding end of the nave was filled with clergy seats and choir stalls. The pulpit - a Caen stone design featuring the symbols of the Four Evangelists - was also moved forward. Previously it had been connected to the north-end vestry by a turreted staircase (a similar arrangement exists at Markbeech). The staircase was blocked and demolished and the space now houses the War Memorial. In the late 19th century New Hythe became one of Kent's industrial heartlands. Cement works and paper mills were built alongside the River Medway and many new houses were built to cater for the growth in population caused by these employment opportunities. Industrialist Samuel Lee Smith, originally from Snodland, became one of Holy Trinity's benefactors. The development has continued well into the 21st century and Larkfield (as the wider area has become known) has become a massive residential area. Over the years many people have been baptised in the Caen stone square font with angels on its four sides, which is original to the church. In May 2022, a new kitchenette and toilet facilities were installed at the west end, behind sensitively designed wooden panelling. Text by Rob Baker.

1851 Census Details

Seating Capacity: Not built

Morning Attendance: Not built

Afternoon Attendance: Not built

Evening Attendance: Not built

Architecture Details

Original Build Date/Architect: Pope 1854

Restoration:

Second Restoration:

Notes

Website

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