A Saxon survivor in the Garden of England. Even Kent is now thought to be Romano-British rather than Anglo-Saxon. The Anglo-Saxons took control of Sussex, Kent, East Anglia and part of Yorkshire; while the West Saxons founded a kingdom in Hampshire under Cerdic, around 520. South Kent Methodist Circuit Office c/o St Andrews Methodist Church Surrenden Road FOLKESTONE CT19 4DY. One of the first stone churches built in England has been unearthed, revealing details of early Christianity in England and connections between Anglo-Saxon Kent and the Kingdom of the Franks. This picture-postcard church stands hidden by trees in a delightful setting by the Little Stour. Part of the Benefice is the ecumenical Church of the Good Shepherd in Hamstreet, which is a long-standing single congregation LEP with the Methodist Church. This little gem of a church is unique for being one of the few Anglo-Saxon churches that has no medieval additions or rebuilding. For a start, there's the lovely old parish church of St Nicholas. This Council was a milestone in the organization of the Anglo-Saxon Church, as the decrees passed by its delegates focused on issues of authority and structure within the church. There is a hagioscope, or squint in the chancel wall, which once connected to a medieval anchorite's cell, now vanished. There was a church at Pluckley at least as early as AD 1090, though it seems very likely that a Saxon building must have preceded it. They are most common around windows and door openings (look for round or triangular headed openings). Church One of the largest intact Anglo-Saxon churches in the country, All Saint's was built sometime around 670 using Roman bricks from a nearby villa. If you want to be a real historical detective, look for the rough-hewn Saxon stones amid the later work. The oldest section of the current church is the north-west corner of the nave, which dates to the Norman period. (See our in-depth article on Anglo-Saxon churches. In Kent, the best surviving churches are those of St. Peter and St Paul, Canterbury (c. 600), and St Peter-on-the-Wall, Bradwell (c. 660). Many churches also have Saxon foundations supporting a newer structure. Initially conquered from about AD 455, this was the very earliest of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, made up of a mixture of Germanic Jutes and Angles together with Celtic Britons and even some Saxons.The Jutes were originally used as mercenaries by the controlling British forces. When visiting, you first see the small spire and bell tower then the beautiful flint, ragstone and brick body of the church. It would have been by far the biggest of these four churches and is one of only three surviving Anglo-Saxon basilican churches in England, the others being Great Paxton (Cambs) and Lydd (Kent). There are two regions where the earliest Saxon work is concentrated; in the southeast around the county of Kent and in Northumberland. St Mary's is one of the most complete Norman churches in Kent. Its age is uncertain but Saint Aldhelm might have founded it around 700 and the age of the building itself ranges between 700 to 1001 although nothing is certain. A team from the University of Reading is currently excavating within the medieval churchyard of St Mary and St Ethelburga Parish Church in Lyminge, Kent. Cantware (Kent) Incorporating the Boroware, Caesterware, & Limenware. 3: St Laurence’s Church, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. RE – SAXON SHORELINE BENEFICE VACANCY. Saxon (and Roman) stones were used to build medieval churches. St Mary's Church in Brook is a tiny country church boasting a superb set of 13th-century wall paintings. St Bene't's Church, central Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Church Situated next to Corpus Christi College, St Bene't's is the oldest building in Cambridge and dates back to the early 11th century. 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