History

Stories of nine centuries of history
And Christian worship
Live on in ancient walls
And old box pews.

Around the graves
Tales whispered through the ages
Can still be heard.

So history lives on
Despite the theft of records
And churchly treasures.

On another short drive out, we discovered this gem of an old church - All Saints at Graveney, Kent. Although it was closed (thanks to repeated thefts, including a forklift break-in to steal the safe containing all the records), we were lucky enough to meet an ex-church warden doing the gardening. He told us many tales of the church and has inspired us to return when it's open.

The construction of the church building in terms of style and material sets it in the mid 12th century. The original box pews from 1823, despite some past efforts to replace them because they were uncomfortable. There's a grave for an unknown mariner.

The subject seems appropriate for Maundy Thursday, which commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels.