Wouldham Church

Click on the photo above to enlarge. Photo kindly provided by Bob Donkin (Flickr).

A previous stone version of Wouldham Church can be traced back as far as 1058 and a wooden version probably preceded that. The first stone version was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1087.

It is understood that the "new" church was built around the earlier church, whilst still in use. The new front dates from around 1200 and the north/south aisles from around 1258. It is thought that the church was probably completed by the time Walter was appointed the first Rector (1283).

The chancel was completed in 1350 and the tower was added in 1460. The tower was paid for by the will of Stephen Slegge, who requested that the building of the steeple should take place.

Click on the photo above to enlarge. Photo kindly provided by Wouldham Parish Council.

In 1624, four bells were installed, made by Joseph Hatch. This was the gift of Francois Cacott who was the Rector for fifty three years. Edwin and Henry Peters later gave two additional bells, along with the clock, in 1899 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee (1897). Six years later, they also gave the organ.

On the 23rd August 1940, during World War II, a bomb fell nearby, destroying the east window and part of the chancel roof. This was repaired by 1947.

Behind the church was a wharf, where barges carried agricultural products away and presumably delivered goods to the village. This was known as Rectory Wharf. In October 1949, the body of a narwhal arrived on the shore of by Rectory Wharf. It was only the second example of this species to be found ashore in 500 years within this country. Its body was taken to the Natural History Museum.

Click on the photo above to enlarge. Photo kindly provided by Wouldham Parish Council.

Click on the photo above to enlarge. Photo kindly provided by Roger Webb.

Also, to the left of the church (facing) was the village pond which had since been drained.

Approximate location marked by the red circle. © OpenStreetMap Contributors.

Click on the photo above to enlarge. Photo kindly provided by Kent Archaeological Society.

Click on the photo above to enlarge. Photo kindly provided by Roger Webb.

Click on the photos above to enlarge. Photos kindly provided by Snodland Historical Society.

Click on the photos above to enlarge. Photos kindly provided by Wouldham Parish Council.

Wouldham Evangelical Chapel & Primitive Methodist Chapel

Click on the photo above to enlarge. Photo kindly provided by Wouldham Parish Council.

Wouldham Evangelical Chapel was situated on the corner of Ferry Lane.

The chapel was originally built for Mrs M Maynard around 1935. Mrs Maynard was the wife of the village schoolmaster and also a handicraft teacher herself. The building was also used for a doctor's surgery.

This building remains today and is used by the Lady Masons.

Click on the photo above to enlarge. Photo kindly provided by Wouldham Parish Council.

A Primitive Methodist Chapel stood almost opposite since around 1867. This building fell into disuse after the new chapel was opened. It has since been demolished and a new house stands on the site (86 High Street).

Approximate location marked by the red circle. © OpenStreetMap Contributors.

Old Newspaper Reports

THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST MAGAZINE FOR THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1860

Chatham Mission. Dear Editor. We have terminated our missionary services for the present year on this mission. On Sunday October 7th 1860 preparatory sermons were preached at Wouldham by Mrs Knox also at Chatham on the 14th by Mrs Knox and the Rev W Watts deputation. One soul was converted to God through faith in Christ. A missionary meeting was held at Wouldham on the 15th addressed by Messrs W Watts T Knox and the writer Mr T Harris presided. On the 16th at Chatham the meeting was addressed by the above named ministers with J Gammon Bible Christian and E Brown Independent. We have raised 8 9s 5d being 1 9s lOd in advance of last year. J DlNNlCK.

The Aberdeen Daily Journal - Friday 16th June 1905

The Vicar of Wouldham (Kent), complaining of the inadequate support given to the church by the parishioners, stated that on one occasion during the present month the collection on Sunday amounted to half a crown - all in coppers.

Daily Express on Saturday 17th May 1924

20 YEAR OLD GIRL PREACHER. FLUENT DAUGHTER OF A JOINER ORDAINED.

Miss Emily Bishop, the twenty year old daughter of a local joiner, has been ordained a lay preacher in the Primitive Methodist church at Chatham. She is a fluent speaker.

She has been bought up from childhood in the service of the church. "I have learned to love it as I love my own home," she said to me to-day.

"While I was taking a class in the Sunday school one day our minister asked me to prepare myself for examination. I prayed long and gradually arrived at the conviction that I was needed to preach the Gospel to others."

Besides her work as a preacher and Sunday school teacher, Miss Bishop is a member of the choir and assists in the Young Woman's Service League. She also helps in the work of the church in the village of Wouldham, visiting on behalf of the minister and taking charge of a young people's evening service.

She is president too of a woman's meeting at Wouldham. She is engaged to a young minister, the Rev. Eric Butler of Hereford.

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