St Martin's Church, Maidstone , Kent

St Martin's Church, Maidstone Church

Image Source: Rob Baker

This red brick church in the centre of the Shepway housing estate in Maidstone was built in 1957 to a design by architect John L. Denman. It was one of the last churches in Kent to be built to the traditional liturgical design. A large imposing north tower faces onto the main road. Behind, the nave and chancel are built under one continuous roof. Inside, the repetetive roof arches draw one's eyes towards the canted sanctuary at the east end, overlooked by three stained-glass lancet windows designed by Francis Spear, featuring the Risen Christ, flanked by depictions of the Annunciation and the Nativity. Spear also designed the three lancet windows in the apsidal baptistry at the west end. These feature John the Baptist in the centre with the other two windows depicting St. Christopher and David & Goliath. Rows of narrow rectangular windows line the length of the nave, interspersed by three gabled projections on each side. There is also a very diminutive north aisle, which today fulfils the same function as its medieval equivalents; enabling robed processions to take place around the church. In 1994 the south facing windows were covered with various pieces of coloured plastic to prevent strong sunlight from dazzling the congregation. This cheap and effective workmanship was carried out by the church youth group. A small chapel to the north of the chancel is dedicated to St. Hilary who was the patron saint of the original church building and later a Church House in the neighbouring Senacre housing estate, built in the 1970s and 1980s. This quiet chapel contains three enchanting stained-glass windows by F. W. (Frederick William) Cole. These depict the Virgin Mary and St. John (behind the altar) and St. Hilary (in the north wall). The present building is the fourth church built to serve Maidstone's rapidly expanding southern suburbs. The first, a simple brick Mission Church dedicated to St. Hilary, was built in 1928 on the nearby Mangravet estate, but by 1934 a larger church was built on the adjacent site. The original building became the Chuch Hall, before being sold in the late 1950s. It is today used as the Harmony Performing Arts Centre. The second church was built of timber (and unfortunately asbestos) and didn't last long. It was a quick-fix to cater for a rapidly increasing population and was soon demolished. A parade of shops and fast food outlets now stands on the site. In 1953 the third church was built in Northumberland Avenue, in the centre of the Shepway estate, which was built shortly after the Second World War. This sturdy red-bricked structure with a separate chancel and an arch braced nave roof - also designed by Denman - proved to be too small and is now the Church Hall, albeit an impressively large one! The fourth (and current) church was built on the same site, with a 1970s vicarage built between the two buildings. Ths church combines a mix of modern and traditional church worship. With over 28,000 people, the parish is one of the most populated in England, pockets of severe deprivation. Over the past few years St. Martin's has managed to maintain a very visible and almost daily presence in the community, and is regularly open. 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: John L Denman 1957

Restoration:

Second Restoration:

Notes

Website

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