Church Of St Augustine Of Canterbury

The Church of St Augustine of Canterbury is a building with origins in the 12th century, significantly altered in the 14th century with the addition of a north aisle, north transept, and chancel. Further additions occurred in the 15th century, including the tower, south chapel, and an outer south aisle of two bays. A substantial restoration and remodelling took place around 1860 under the direction of H. Woodyer, which involved the removal of the south porch, an extension to the south aisle, and the remodelling of the clerestory.

The church is constructed of stone ashlar to the tower, with an uncoursed stone rubble plinth to the south aisle. The left side is rendered, probably over stone rubble, while the right side is of coursed stone rubble, with a mix of flint and stone in a random chequer pattern to the south chapel. The aisles have a lead roof, the nave a plain-tile roof, and the chancel a stone slate roof; the tower roof is not visible. The church comprises a three-bay chancel with side chapels, a four-bay aisled nave, and a west tower.

A C19 plank door is set within a mid-C19 surround on the left side of the south aisle. The south aisle features C19 windows with geometrical tracery. The south chapel has two three-light, flat-headed, Perpendicular tracery windows, including a window to the east end. The clerestory features C19 trefoils. C19 geometrical tracery windows are found on the east end of the chancel and vestry.

On the north side, a two-light reticulated tracery window is found in the north aisle, and a three-light reticulated tracery window in the north transept. Fenestration to the vestry is of C19 design. The three-stage west tower has a 4-centre arched doorway with plain spandrels and hood mould on its west face, above which is a four-light rectilinear tracery window. The upper stage of the tower is characterised by two-light, reticulated tracery louvred openings on each face. The top of the tower features an open quatrefoil balustrade with corner finials.

Inside, the chancel has a braced collar-truss roof, partially panelled. The church also contains a C19 reredos, piscina, and sedilia. The south chapel features a two-bay, Perpendicular roof. Fragments of medieval glass, including armorial bearings, are incorporated into some windows. A screen dating to around 1860 separates the chancel, while a C15 wood screen defines the south chapel. There's an octagonal wood pulpit and sounding board from around 1660 to the left of the chancel screen. The nave arcades consist of four 2-centred arches on columns, re-cut in the C19, and a 2-centred arch leads to the tower.