Selling Church

Myself and Doug visited Selling Church Nr Faversham I rater like these old Churches reminds of our History and how long Christianity has dominated our way of life, moral and ethics. It is marvellous to see how long they have stood one wonder will modern buildings will stand the test of time 

St Mary's church stands in a countryside setting on a high point in the village overlooking the Swale and the north Kent marshes. 

It has a fine bell tower affording excellent views over the surrounding area. 

History

The earliest mention of a church on this site is in 1054, when it was granted to the Benedictine abbey known as St Augustine’s Canterbury.

The Domesday Book mentions the building, and the grand survey of 1086 indicated a church on the same alignment as now with a chancel, a nave and a tower. However, by 1190 a larger structure had replaced the original and parts of this building, namely the west wall, the tower and the chancel, 
are still standing.

The nave was rebuilt around 1300 and decorative battlements and windows added around 1450. The monks of St Augustine's, during their 493 years of ownership were responsible for almost every architectural feature that we see today, including the graceful pillars and the fine arcaded chancel. 

The present church is cruciform in plan comprising nave, central tower, two transepts three chancels and north and south aisles. In the late 15th century the tower was raised one storey and given additional support with arches in the Perpendicular style.

There was little alteration then until the middle of the 19th century, except for removal of the stone altar, a rood loft and chancel screens and the erection around 1700 of a singers gallery at the west end of the church.

Neame Family Could this be of the Brewery Family 

In the 1840s and 1850s various improvements and adaptations were carried out and an organ placed in the west gallery (see music at Selling) - moved to its present position in the south transept by 1850. In 1852 the west porch was rebuilt and a south porch added. The west gallery too was removed and replaced by an elaborate mural monument under a Gothic canopy.

Looking round just in case