A Tour around the church building

The earliest parts of this ancient church are a Saxon arch, parts of which are visible above the small tower doorway. Most of the current building dates from around 1200AD.

The Porch

The entrance to the church is via the timber-framed porch which was built in the fourteenth century.

Inside the church

The Nave

     

The nave and front of the chancel were built in the late 11th century. The north aisle was added in the 12th century. Later, in the 13th century the tower was built and the chancel extended in length.

Other Areas

Inside St Mary's church, there are still the old eighteenth century box pews. These used to be rented out for the sole use of one family, giving the church a regular income, known as pew-rent. This custom was later replaced by 'collections' during the services and now by planned giving.

On one of these box pews there is an old carved almsbox used to collect money for charity.

Above the chancel arch there is a plaster tympanum with the royal arms and the Ten Commandments. This was originally part of a large Rood Screen that separated the Chancel from the Nave. In the mid-16th century, the reformers removed many of the Rood screens as they implied a separation between the congregation and God. This did not fit with the teaching of Jesus that all people can pray directly to God, and not just the priests.

This part of the screen was rehung just above the arch (and hence its arch shape). The Ten Commandments were originally given to Moses and form a key part of the Jewish and Christian faith. They were often hung up in churches to teach and remind people of the scriptures.

When Jesus was asked "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?", he replied by summarising the first 4 commandments as "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind", and by summarising the last 6 commandments as "Love your neighbour as yourself".

The Chancel and Altar

The chancel is the name given to the part of the church used by the clergy and sometimes the choir. It is usually at the eastern end of the church.

Behind the altar is a wooden altarpiece with pictures painted on.

To the left of the altarpiece is written the Lord's Prayer, and to the right the Apostles' Creed. The Lord's Prayer is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. The Apostles' Creed is a statement of the Christian faith:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son , our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Font.

"I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit"

The font is used for Baptism. At baptism, water from the font is poured onto the person's forehead as a sign of new life with Christ.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us that to enter the kingdom of heaven we must be born again of water and the Spirit, and has given us baptism as the sign and seal of this new birth.

Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives. Baptism (or Christening) marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives. When an adult or older child is baptised, they declare before God and the congregation that they believe in Jesus Christ. When a baby or young child is baptised, the parents and Godparents make these promises on behalf of the child. The Baptism of a child is about a public commitment to bring the child up to know and love and serve the Lord Jesus, and share in regular worship. Later, when older, the child may wish to say these promises for themselves at a service of Confirmation.

The parish website gives further information on baptism at Sturry or Westbere church. Baptisms no longer take place within St Mary's church, Fordwich, as there is no longer a regular worshipping congregation here.

The Fordwich Stone

Inside the North Aisle is the Fordwich Stone, that was traditionally known as St. Augustines's tomb. It is some kind of shrine, designed to look like a tomb and was carved around 1100AD.

Roll of Service for World War 2

Hanging up inside the church is a framed World War II Roll of Service.

If you would like to visit this church, then keys are kept in the Fordwich Arms pub next door. Two regular services are held here each year. These are the annual Cinque Ports Civic Service held on the first Sunday in November, and an Advent Carol Service in early December.

Further details can be found on the parish website at www.sturrychurch.org.uk .

Links to other local websites

• Local History Book - Chislet and Westbere
• Local History Book - Village Views
• St. Nicholas' church, Sturry
• St. Mary's church, Fordwich
• Parish church website, for Sturry with Fordwich and Westbere with Hersden

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