Churches of the British Isles

It was built in the Early English style by the monks of Christ Church Abbey in Canterbury (see links). At the time the abbey owned Eastry Manor, the kings of Kent having been succeeded by the formation of a single English kingdom. The Norman building almost certainly replaced a Saxon-period building (possibly wooden) since Eastry was important at the time. Details of early worship have been lost, but they may have been established as early as the start of the 600s.

Eastry Old Court Chapel was part of Eastry Court itself, on the eastern side of Church Street and on the church's northern flank. The court sits on the site of a Kentish royal palace. King Egbert is reputed to have murdered two of his nephews here around 690. It came into the possession of the archbishops of Canterbury before the 800s, and after 811 it was held by Christ Church convent. The chapel was restored in 1285-1331. It was converted into a kitchen in 1786.

Zion Baptist Chapel, Eastry, is on the western side of Lower Street, now known as Wrenlea Villa, opposite Martins Cottage, about forty metres to the south of the Holly Close turning. The roots of Kentish nonconformity are to be found in the Lollards of the 1300s. The early-built Eythorne Baptist Church (see links) sent missions out into the villages, including Eastry. Zion chapel was built in 1824, with records between 1837-2002 to suggest a closure date with later conversion.

Eastry Union Workhouse Chapel covered land on the southern side of Mill Lane, opposite the Wheelwrights Way turning. The former Union Workhouse was erected in 1835-1836. The chapel for the use of the inmates lay in front of it, against the road's edge. After the First World War the workhouse became Eastry Hospital, but by 2018 much had been demolished, with new housing being built there. Plans show that the chapel will become a community workspace.

Eastry Wesleyan Methodist 'Providence' Chapel is on the northern side of Mill Lane, and on the western flank of Greville Homes, under thirty metres to the west of the Swaynes Way junction. The chapel is dated 1822, and is noted in the 1867 register. It became Worth Methodist Church at the Methodist union of 1932. Archive records suggest a date of closure of 1969. It is of red brick with a plain tiled roof, having been converted in 2001 to become a private residence.

All photos on this page by P L Kessler.