Church micro #1973 St Peter and St Paul Dymchurch Traditional Cache
Church micro #1973 St Peter and St Paul Dymchurch
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The church of St Peter and St Paul was built about the middle of the twelfth century. The main Norman arch dividing the nave and chancel is interesting for its size and the fact that it has dropped slightly on the right hand side. The zigzag decoration was intended to indicate light; St Anselm (c1033-1109) wrote about God in terms of light. The decoration outlining the arch would have been painted gold to indicate that the chancel, the most holy part of the church, was filled with light and the spirit of God.
As time went on, Christ's humanity was emphasised and a rood screen would have been installed at the chancel step in the 13th century. You can see the site for this: look for the holes in the chancel arch. Images of Jesus and Mary his Mother, and possibly John the Baptist would have decorated the rood screen.
The arched recess to the right and behind the pulpit is thought to have been aspecially holy place dedicated to a saint. The south and the west doors have Norman arches, below which the tympana of cross-hatched tiles were the foundation for a plaster base on which a picture or wall painting would have been painted. The subject would possibly have been Christ in Glory.
The font, symbolically placed at the entrance to the church, is thought to be mediaeval: Archbishop of Canterbury Edmund Rich sent out a decree in 1236 advising that all fonts should be fitted with lockable lids so that holy water could not be stolen by witches. The two opposing spaces which accommodated the hinges may clearly be seen. At that time the font would have been lined with lead and the water blessed at Easter each year. It is very possible that the font was thrown out of the church by the Lollards, of whom there were many in Kent, protestant dissenters who felt that as we had all been baptised in the blood of Christ there was no need for fonts.
The font was rescued from a dyke in the 15th century, retooled and reinstated in the church.
The stained glass windows tell bible stories. Look for some birds: a pelican, symbolic of sacrifice, piety and charity; a dove, symbolic of peace. Look for the Visit of the Magi to the Holy Family; Christ in Glory; St Elizabeth of Hungary; and our newest window, dedicated to St George. There is one Victorian window, the oldest and the smallest on the south side. The coats of arms of Canterbury and of St Peter and St Paul are in the chancel.
This was the church Russell Thorndike chose as the parish of fictional smuggler extraordinaire, Dr Syn in his series of books.
Also within a few feet is the fine New Hall, home to the Lords of the Level, the group charged with protecting Romney Marsh from the sea. It also contained both a courtroom and local Gaol in its time.
From the hiding spot you can see Sycamore House, former residence of E.Nesbitt, author of The Railway Children. The rememberance cross outside the church grounds was once the spot where the hang mans noose was situated. If you dont sign the log book dont log it online.
Thanks to 'Rosslessness' for addional information.
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication.
There is also a Church Micro Stats page found via the Bookmark list
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
lbh fubhyq trg gurer ng gur raq
GUR CVRPR BS CNCRE VA N ONT VF ABG GUR PNPUR