Dedication Unknown, Toys Hill, Kent

Dedication Unknown, Toys Hill Church

Image Source: Rob Baker

This Grade II listed building in the hamlet of Toys Hill in west Kent was built in 1910 as a joint community hall and a church. The land was given by social reformer Margaret Sewell and the hall designed by architect Owen Fleming, both of whom lived locally. It is built into the hillside overlooked by a large area of woodland now owned by the National Trust. The main hall and raised chancel are on the first floor with a small kitchen and storeroom in the basement below. The lower level is covered with roughcast, with the upper storey tiled. A cross pattern has been depicted into the tiles underneath the gable indicating that this is a place of worship. It faces south-east with the altar positioned underneath the casement window at that end. Beneath is a clock with the date 1910, with two golden roundels containing faces of cherubs either side of the clock face. The wooden panelling around the altar commemorates men from the locality who died in both World Wars. Later panels have been dedicated to the memory of parishioners who gave devoted service to this little church. In the mid-1940s the lower walls were covered in oak panelling in honour of architect Owen Fleming's first wife. The inscription along the top reads: This panelling is in loving memory of Lucy Pease Fleming who lived at Toys Hill 1896-1909 and who loved it. O.F. "Live for the present moment - leave the rest to God, give all - to just one action - and you will make a perfect life." L.P.F. The opposite panels feature an inscription to the memory of his only son who died in the Second World War. It reads: In cherished memory of Richard the beloved only son of Owen and Edith Fleming who fell at his post of duty at the Battle of the Mareth Line, Libya, on 22 March 1943, aged 24. "Oh! What a brutal conflict this is. We were born into this world to appreciate life and all its beauties." R.H.C.F. The pictures above were painted by German Prisoners of War, who remained in the county as farm labourers after the war had ended. During their time in Toys Hill, they attended church services at the Hall. The style of paintings reflect their strong Lutheran beliefs. The Hall is part of the parish of Sundridge and Ide Hill, and holds one service each month. 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: 1910

Restoration: -

Second Restoration: -

Notes

Combined Church and Hall

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