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| Our church is dedicated to St Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors; it is a prominent landmark for ships in the estuary and for travellers approaching St Nicholas-at-Wade and Isle of Thanet. Built of flint, with some ragstone, it was begun in the 12th century and completed by the 13th century with the addition of the chancel, chapels and aisled nave. By the 14th century a SW tower, with stair turret and the nave clerestory had been added. Finally, the decorated porch and fine parvise were built by the end of the 14th century. Note the splendid squared knapped flintwork. The church is listed in Simon Jenkins's "England's 1000 Best Churches". |
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The Bridges Chapel houses memorials to the family, remembering especially, Robert Bridges, Poet Laureate 1913-30 and his only son Edward, Secretary to the Cabinet. The headstone of the Piscina, on the South East of the Chapel, is carved from a single block of stone, probably dating from an early Norman or late Anglo-Saxon window head. It may be a surviving fragment of a possible Saxon Church on the site. The nave has some lovely late Norman arches, and the fine brass chandelier was donated in 1757. |
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In the past three years we have spent over £388,000, rebuilding the top of the Tower, adding a new lead roof to the Bridges Chapel and new toilets with an upper meeting room in faith that funds would be forthcoming. Only £31,500 is now outstanding. Our church is not only part of our heritage; it remains essential to the present and future needs of our village, we need to continue the history of good maintenance, since it is for the use of the whole community.