The parish church of St Peter and St Paul is a beautiful 13th century church overlooking secluded farmland in the older village of South Street, close to the
Boughton village it serves. The church is run as a combined benefice with Hernhill, with alternating services in both churches every Sunday. It also serves the formerly separate parish of Dunkirk. Many events and some services also use the St Barnabas Parish Centre, in the heart of Boughton village.
Today the church is regularly used for Christian worship and children from 4 -11 years are welcome to join the lively Sunday Club group that meets on Sundays at St Barnabas during term time as shown below. The church plays an important part in village life.
The Parish Church of SS Peter and Paul lies in attractive countryside about a mile south of the main area of Boughton village. Boughton under Blean is mentioned in the Domesday Book; both church and manor belonged to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The village included a number of manors and hamlets, one of which was here at South Street, which consists of a group of attractive houses and farms clustered around the church and spread along one of the pilgrims’ routes to Canterbury. The church is linked to the village proper by a well-used pathway still known as the coffin track, and other footpaths continue on to the south.
Archbishop Lanfranc may have built the original church on this site, but the present 13th century church would have been the one seen by Chaucer’s pilgrims as they stopped at “Boughton under Blee”. Several of the South Street farmhouses are at least 15th or 16th century in origin, including Boughton Court Farmhouse, near the church, formerly the chief manor of Boughton. The building dates from the 13th century with chapels being added in the 14th century, and the aisles and tower in the 15th century.
The Grade 1 medieval parish church is of the highest quality in terms of its architecture and one of the best views is as you mount the steep hill from South Street. Much of the surrounding countryside is still used for the traditional hop-growing industry, and the church is the setting for the annual hop-blessing service.There are substantial historic houses nearby including Nash Court and Colkins whose families had strong associations with the church.
A timber screen of the 16th century separates the nave from the chancel and a timber screen of the 15th century separates the north aisle from the north chapel. A similar ancient screen separates the south aisle from the south chapel. On the north wall is a tiny broken staircase which once gave access to the rood loft over the screen, but this was destroyed by the Victorian restorers, along with the 17th century box pews.
The three-bay nave arcades, two-bay chancel and north chapel display typically Early English features, while the later tower, with its west window and the door which now serves as the main entrance are Perpendicular. The building contains a number of wall-mounted monuments and memorials, in particular the fine collection, mostly 17th century, in the north chapel, which is also known as the Hawkins Chapel. The Chapel contains a fine monument to Thomas Hawkins and his wife, of Nash Court, by Epiphanius Evesham.
The large and steeply sloping churchyard contains a number of monuments and headstones of interest, and some fine trees; the largest of the yew trees, by the south door, has been traced back to its donation in 1695.
Services at Boughton Parish Church
(See also St Michael's Church, Hernhill for alternating services)
July/August 2010
Sun 4 Jul |
8.00 a.m. |
Holy Communion, Boughton Church |
|
9.45 a.m. |
Sunday Club at St Barnabas |
|
10.00 a.m. |
Sung Communion, Hernhill Church
|
Wed 7 Jul |
1 p.m. -3 p.m. |
Chat’n Chew at St Barnabas
|
Sun 11 Jul |
8.00 a.m. |
Holy Communion, Hernhill Church |
|
10.00 a.m. |
All age service with Communion, Boughton Church
|
Wed 14 Jul |
10.30 a.m. |
Wednesday Worship at St Barnabas
|
Sun 18 Jul |
8.00 a.m. |
Holy Communion, Boughton Church |
|
10.00 a.m. |
All age Service with Communion, Hernhill Church
|
Wed 21 Jul |
10.30 a.m. |
Sunbeams Service at St Barnabas
|
Sun 25 Jul |
8.00 a.m. |
Holy Communion, Hernhill Church |
|
10.00 a.m. |
Sung Communion, Boughton Church
|
Wed 28 Jul |
12.00 - 1.30 p.m. |
Lite bite lunch at St Barnabas
|
Sun 1 Aug |
8.00 a.m. |
Holy Communion, Boughton Church |
|
10.00 a.m. |
Sung Communion, Hernhill Church
|
Sun 8 Aug |
8.00 a.m. |
Holy Communion, Hernhill Church |
|
10.00 a.m. |
All age service with Communion, Boughton Church
|
Wed 11 Aug |
10.30 a.m. |
Wednesday Worship at St Barnabas
|
Sun 15 Aug |
8.00 a.m. |
Holy Communion, Boughton Church |
|
10.00 a.m. |
All age Service with Communion, Hernhill Church
|
Sun 22 Aug |
8.00 a.m. |
Holy Communion, Hernhill Church |
|
10.00 a.m. |
Sung Communion, Boughton Church
|
Wed 25 Aug |
12.00 - 1.30 p.m. |
Lite bite lunch at St Barnabas
|
Sun 29 Aug |
10.00 a.m. |
Holy Communion, Hernhill Church |
|
4.30 p.m |
Evening Praise in St Barnabas followed by tea and cake |
Further Information
Location - ME13 9NB - From the M2 London, A2 Faversham or Canterbury, A299 Ramsgate - Each of these roads will lead to the M2/J7 roundabout known as Brenley Corner. At this roundabout exit south onto Brenley Lane and proceed to the T junction. Turn left and then stay on this road for about half a mile - the Church is on top of the hill, with a car park just beyond.
For further information please 
the Vicar or Church Wardens as below:
Vicar:
Jean Burrows 01227 751410
Church Wardens
Julian Owen 01227 750203
Judy Gracey 01227 751447
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