Clock

Some people think that these blue clocks that seem to be present in so many churches and government buildings are monstrosities and do nothing to enhance the architecture of the place.
I happen to like them. I think they add a bit of colour and fun to an otherwise too serious building.
What do you think?

Back Door

I know what you are thinking: Oh dear. Another church photo!

What can I say? Canterbury is a wonderful place but religion is the force behind it. So forgive me if I show you pictures and pictures of churches, churches interior, etc. I simply can't help myself!

This one is of a back door of St Mary's in Chilham.

St Nicholas Church in Ash

Merry Christmas

I am not religious at all but I thought as today is the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus I would show you a photo of a lovely staute of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus.

I found it in St Mary's Church one of the oldest places in Lower Hardres...

Babooshka...Merry Christmas

Died at 1300 years old.

On the 15th October 1987 metereologists predict rain and strong winds but by midnight they realise that it wasn't just another storm. It was the biggest storm Britain had seen since 1709 and claimed 16 lives. 15 million of trees perished on the storm and one of them was this yew tree in Chilham Church.
It had been there for over 1300 years but in that fatal night it fell and died.

St Mary's Stodmarsh

Stodmarsh is a very small village and consequently there is only a few people who is prepared to look after their church...

This is not the best looked after church in the Canterbury area but it is still lovely...

St Andrews United Reformed Church

Here you can see the top of one of my favourite buildings in Canterbury.
It is the St Andrews United Reformed Church.

Flower arrangement

This is the type of flower arrangements you find in churches during the summer.

This one I found in St Nicholas in Ash. It was part of the floral arrangement for a wedding on the previous Saturday...

Water Tower

This picture was taken inside the Water Tower building in Canterbury Cathedral.
It was built in the 12th Century following the designs by Prior Wilbert. The water came froma cistern on the floor above and it was distributed to other parts of the monastery.
You can see what the building look like from the outside here.

Hassock series: Grapes

Ok. I admit. I am a sucker for churches and for everything to do with them.
Here is another lovely hassock also from Stodmarsh

St Mary's Church in Forwich Canterbury

This is St Mary's Curch in Fordwich and it is not the best kept church in town but it certainly has plenty of atmosphere.
The cemitery at the back is quite spooky and I bet this is a scary place to be late at night.

St Thomas of Canterbury

Although Canterbury is the HQ of Church of England and it owns most of the land in town, this Catholic church sits not far from the High Street.

Back to Godmersham

A few days ago I showed you a church where Jane Austen used to worship. This is the entrance porch of the same church.

It is beautiful, isn't it?

St Mary's Church in Chilham, Canterbury

This is St Mary's Church has been here for a long time. It was mentioned in the Doomsday book (1085) and building records go back to 1280. It is only a few yards from the house I showed you yesterday.

If you look closely you can see a clock in the tower. According to Tom Reed, in the Guide to Chilham booklet, the clock and the set of 8 church bells date back from the 1720s.

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/

St Mildred's Church

This is a beautiful window in St Mildred Church in Canterbury. It is about one minute from Canterbury castle and there is often some sort of music event going on there.
Worth visiting.

St Thomas Church

Although Canterbury is the religious capital of the Anglican Church, you can also find a very active Roman Catholic community in the city.

Arches

Today I will be talking about Canterbury Cathedral, the most famous Cathedral in England . The word "cathedral" comes from the Greek word "kathedra" which meant "throne" and Canterbury Cathedral is where the leader of the Church of Englad, the genius Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, seats.

If you are planning to visit Canterbury Cathedral, download one of their brochure here