The Oldest Church in England Still Stands After 1400 Years

Religion has been around for centuries and the centers of religion — a temple, a mosque, a synagogue, a church — have been around since the inception of religion. Throughout time, some religious centers have been destroyed, due to many circumstances like wars or conflicts. Other religious centers are museums or places to visit so that people can learn about the olden times. There are some religious centers, however, that have stood the test of time.

In England, the oldest church is St. Martin’s and it belongs to the Church of England otherwise known as the Anglican religion. How long has it been around, you ask? It was built more than 1,400 years ago!

Let’s go back in time and explore the oldest church in England. We’ll go through its history, major events that happened there, the wildlife in the area, and other fun facts.

Where Is St. Martin’s Located?

St. Martin’s Church is an Anglican church, part of the Church of England. It is the oldest church building in the entire country and it is located in Canterbury, just outside the city center. Canterbury is in Kent, a county in southeastern England. The church is part of a World Heritage Site along with Canterbury Cathedral and St. Augustine’s Abbey. The rector today is Reverand Mark Richard Griffin.

Visiting the Church

The church still exists, which means you can still visit and experience everything — from its old, mismatched brick walls, its stained glass windows, and its centuries-old graveyard. Located on North Holmes Road, you can visit the church when there are no special events like baptisms and funerals. You can also stay for worship services that take place several times per week.

Architecture of the Church

The church was built with mismatched bricks and historians have assumed that some of the foundation contains Roman bricks. The facade of the church is one to assert the assumptions of these historians are correct. Several parts of the church also date back to the 7th century, including the entrance to Bertha’s church, which is part of St. Martin’s. Other parts of the church came much later, though, like the church’s tower.

When Was it Built?

Technically, it is unknown when St. Martin’s Church was built. It is said that it already existed before 597 A.D. because that is when St. Augustine arrived from Rome to become the first Archbishop of Canterbury. St. Augustine was the person who merged the churches in England into the Roman Catholic Church.

The church was also used as Queen Bertha of Kent’s private chapel. She died in 601 A.D. Therefore, even though it is unknown when St. Martin’c Church was built, we know that it is about 500 years old and still standing today (with modifications done over the years, of course).

Major Events At St. Martin’s

Let’s take a look at some major events that happened at St. Martin’s Church. After all, it has been around for more than a thousand years!

• The church was used as a private chapel for Queen Bertha of Kent. Queen Bertha was from France and that is why the church is named after St. Martin of Tours, the third bishop in the city of Tours, France. There is also a wooden statue of Queen Bertha inside St. Martin’s.
• St. Augustine used the church as his headquarters and started enlarging the church to fit his needs.
• King Æthelberht of Kent, who was Queen Bertha’s husband was a pagan but was baptized at St. Martin’s soon after St. Augustine arrived.
• The expansions that started under St. Augustine continued over the centuries and the tower was built during the 14th century. One of the bells the church has was built in 1393 and still stands today.
• Around the mid-1800s, gold coins were found in the church’s grounds. They were dated from the 6th century and included a Liudhard medalet.

Wildlife Around the Area

Canterbury is very diverse in its wildlife and you can find all sorts of animals while trekking through these parts. Because Canterbury is a medieval city, you can find remnants of animals that are long gone, but you can also find animals that are alive and roaming around the British woodland of southeast England.

If you are lucky to spot animals during your hikes in the woods, make sure you look after bears, wolves, otters, and deer. Of course, foxes are quite common in central London, so you will see plenty of them in Canterbury. You may also spot beavers, wild cats, squirrels, and reindeer. The British woods in these parts of England are unique from the rest of the country.

Lastly, there is a zoo of sorts called Wingham Wildlife Park where you can see animals from all over the world including tigers, lemurs, all types of frogs, and bears, too. The Wingham Wildlife Park is only a short train ride away from Canterbury’s city center.

About Canterbury

Canterbury is in Kent, which is in southeastern England. The city is quite historical and thus has become a popular destination for tourists of all ages. In fact, the city is so popular that it has relied on tourism to boost its economy. With a population of about 60,000, the city is home to many students because the University of Kent is located in Canterbury. Thus the residents in the city tend to be younger.

Some famous sites are located in Canterbury that are sure to pique your interest. If you are into history, make sure you visit the city wall that was built during Roman times. You should also go to the Canterbury Castle, King’s School, which is the oldest school in Britain, along with the Westgate Towers museum.

Of course, if you are on a church hunt, visit the conjoined World Heritage Site of Canterbury Cathedral, St. Augustine’s Abbey, and St. Martin’s Church. The Canterbury Cathedral is the current seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the most important person in the Church of England besides the current monarch, King Charles III.

Conclusion

And there you have it, the oldest church in England that still stands after 1,400 years is St. Martin’s Church. The church has seen so much history and so many changes — from its expansions to its major events. It’s quite fascinating how historical events can play a huge part in how things go in life. History is all around us and the actions we take have a profound impact on the future.

As a church, St. Martin’s Church has been witness to the changing hands in the Church of England. From the Roman times to being a Roman Catholic Church that adhered to the pope and the supreme command he held.

Finally, upon the changes King Henry VIII administered, it is now part of the Church of England. The separated religion has been around for 500 years. As you walk through the grounds, look around and think about the history of St. Martin’s Church, a church that has seen so much in the last 1,400 years.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © ValeryEgorov/iStock via Getty Images