Church Of St. Stephen

The Church of St. Stephen, dating from around 1200 with additions from the 15th century and 1844, features a nave, a small chancel, and a west tower. The earlier structure includes the south wall made of flint and the chancel arch, along with a Perpendicular window on the south side and a Norman doorway with dogtooth edging on the north. The nave roof is a scissors truss with arch bracing from the 15th century. The exterior, primarily from 1844, showcases walling with bands of red brick and flintwork, diagonal buttresses at the corners, and coupled lights in Perpendicular style under hoodmoulds. The slender tower, built in 1844, has three stages with the upper part mainly of brickwork and a crenellated parapet. Inside, a tall arch creates a two-storeyed effect, with the upper section featuring an open vail (old communion rail) leading to a balcony and a hatchment of the Royal Coat of Arms from 1829. At floor level, there is a Victorian Perpendicular font, and on the south wall, a Greek ikon depicting St. Thomas on a thick wood panel. An old almsbox is located next to the entrance. The restoration period also introduced a small vestry in place of a south porch and contributed to the small size of the chancel, which has a three-light window.