A new photo of the beautiful city of Canterbury in Kent and surrounding area every day.

Friday 11 April 2008

St Lawrence the Martyr in Godmersham, Kent

St Lawrence the Martyr Church in Godmersham, Kent is not just a very pretty church in a very picturesque village but it is also a church where Jane Austen worshipped many times. Her brother, Edward, was adopted by the childless couple who owned Godmersham Park and she often visited him and attended services here.

The earliest parts of the building backs to Saxon times (900-1000) but later, it had several additions and a major renovation in 1865. In a sunny day you can see the sunlight coming through the stained glass windows.

The surrounding fields lend this church an air of tranquility that you can rarely find.
If you are interested in knowing more, go to http://www.godmersham.com/

9 comments:

Alex said...

A so lovely church. Beautiful pic !!
I like Jane Austen...

Katie said...

Having just finished watching part 2 of "Sense and Sensibility" on public TV Sunday, I very much appreciate seeing this wonderful photo of a church where Jane Austen spent time! Thanks for the additional links too!

Rosie said...

Oh Katie
Sense and Sensibility is a good story.
Have you seen the film about Jane Austen's life called Becoming Jane? It is lovely and so romantic, very Jane Austen in a way.
Some experts in Jane Austen think that Godmersham Park was the inspiration for the settings of her novel Mansfield Park.

Anonymous said...

It is hard for me to imagine anything this old and still standing.

Abraham Lincoln in Brookville, Ohio.

Petrea Burchard said...

I had no idea her brother was sent away from the family like that. How strange! What great research to go along with a beautiful photo.

Rosie said...

Edward Austen was chosen because his father was a cousin of the owner of Godmersham Park, Thomas Knight. I don't think it was a bad thing to be adopted by a rich old cousin who seemed to adore him. Edward later changed his name to Edward Knight.

Greyhound Girl said...

This is beautiful. So lovely...

Katie said...

Rose I haven't seen Becoming Jane yet. I'll be sure to rent it soon! My absolute favorite Austen movie is still Pride and Prejudice from a while back (with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle). I can watch that over and over and never tire of it. I really do need to visit England soon!

Janet said...

Jane Austen had very good taste in churches. Wonderful building.