St Augustine's Church
- Brookland in Kent
Brookland is a small village in Kent that at the time of the 2001 census had a population of 453.
The church has plenty of character, and
the front of the church is very attractive, but it's the belfry that makes it one of the most interesting churches I have seen.
Erected about the middle of the thirteenth century this church has had some considerable repairs and reconstruction much of it just to keep the building standing.
An outstanding feature of this church is the belfry. It is built entirly of wood and stands separate from the church, from the outside it reminds me of the Christmas trees that are some times drawn on Christmas cards.
The way the timbers inside the belfry are put together resemble the construction of an electricity pylon, and it’s believed that this was once a free-standing structure.
During the fifteenth century the tower was altered and the current spire was built.
There are many local stories that offer an explanation to why the belfry is separated from the church.
When I last visited the church, a local person told me that the original tower may predate the church and was possible used to warn of floods.
Many believe the probable reason is simply that the church, which is built on marshy ground, would not be able to support the weight.
The church has a circular lead font dating from the 1100s which, according to the guide book, is the most important of the thirty leaden fonts remaining in the country.
There used to be a shop at the front of the church,
it became derelict and was demolished in the 1960s. A corner of the building can be seen in the bottom photograph.
I have been told that this is not the only belfry built separate to a church in this country, and there is a similar belfry in Lincolnshire.
If anyone can help me with more information, please email me.
