Church Of St Andrew

TM 58 SW COVEHITHE

2/1 Church of St. Andrew

27/11/54 GV I

Parish church. Medieval work comprises tower, together with ruinous walls of nave, chancel, north and south aisles and north sacristy of what was once a large and impressive church. Present church erected 1672 within ruins of nave. Random flint rubble, stone dressings; the C17 church has much re-used material together with some red brick and a thatched roof. Early-mid C14 tower: tall, with 3 principal stages and a crenellated parapet; diagonal buttresses to west, angle buttresses to east. At ringing chamber level on the south side is a cusped ogee opening. The tracery of the bell chamber openings is missing, Remainder of medieval church is C15, although the surviving responds of the aisle arcades are C14. 7-bay aisles: the south aisle is the more complete and has 6 intact window openings with small remains of tracery. The aisles and chancel are faced with knapped flint, the south aisle and the chancel having a plinth of panelled and chequered flushwork. The chancel projects one bay east of the aisles, with very tall windows to the north and south and a very large east window. The buttresses to the east wall have fine canopied statue niches. Some carved stone corbels which supported the chancel roof still remain. The C17 church has 2-light diamond-leaded windows divided by wooden mullions; segmental arches with raised stone keys; C19 east window in stone. Re-used north doorway, the arch enriched with fleurons; re-used south doorway within a gabled porch. Inside, on the north and south walls, are inscriptions: 'James Gilbert put it out 1672' and 'Enoch Girling put it out 1672'. Fine C15 carved octagonal font; 3 C15 poppyhead benches at west end of nave; carved pulpit incorporating some C17 woodwork. Arms of George III beneath tower arch.

Listing NGR: TM5228881875