Modern Britain

In the thirteenth century a spire much like the one on St Mary the Virgin in Fordwich (see below) was added, but this was either taken down or blew down in a gale in 1812 and was never re-erected. The Norman nave had north and south doors and high-level windows, three on each side, of which traces remain. In about 1200, the side aisles were added, and holes were knocked into the nave walls to make arches.

In around 1380, the north aisle was widened and the Memorial Chapel was made or enlarged. In the late fifteenth century the south aisle was widened, and the timber-framed porch was built within fifty years of this. Although it has been re-roofed and given brick sides, much of the original woodwork remains. The Victorians made many changes to the church, the main one being the west door (in the tower), and the window above, added in 1855.

St Mary the Virgin is in Fordwich, a village immediately to the south of Sturry. In the Anglo-Saxon period (around 600-1066) the estuary of the River Stour extended inland as far as Canterbury. Fordwich, or Forewic, probably grew up as a series of dwellings on the bank close to the river, and as the river gradually silted up, it became the main landing port for Canterbury. The first church here was Saxon, built to cater for the needs of the growing population.

While the earliest surviving part of the church is a Saxon arch, sections of which are visible above the small tower doorway, most of the current building dates from around 1200. However, the nave and front of the chancel were built in the late eleventh century. The tower was added in the thirteenth century and the chancel was extended in length at the same time. The entrance to the church is via the fourteenth century timber-framed porch shown here.

The old eighteenth century box pews still survive. These used to be rented out for the sole use of one family, giving the church a regular income, known as pew-rent. This custom was later replaced by collections during services and now by planned giving. The churchyard is small and hemmed in with tall trees, making it a very peaceful place which overlooks the river. Fordwich, along with Sturry and Westbere, also shares its facilities with the North East Kent Methodist Circuit.