St Nicholas Church, Chislehurst

About:

St Nicholas Church in Chislehurst is an enduring and beloved landmark — the oldest standing building in the village and a centre of community life for many centuries.

There has been a church on the site for over a thousand years. The present building dates mainly from the 15th century, though it incorporates part of the earlier structure: the west wall, and even a small Saxon-era window remains visible outside the west door. A Norman font — evidence of even older origins — is still in use.

Recognised as a Grade II* listed building and protected within the Chislehurst Conservation Area, the church features what the architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner described as a “tall shingled spire — quite a landmark.”

Over the centuries the church has evolved considerably. In the 19th century the chancel was partly rebuilt (1849) and extended (1896), a south aisle added, and many interior changes made, including Victorian-style pews and later re-ordering to create a more flexible worship space. The original medieval rood screen remains, restored in 1928.

The tower and spire were rebuilt in 1857 after a fire destroyed the original, reaching a height of 111 feet to the weathercock, shingled in cedar. The tower houses a peal of eight bells (cast by Warners), plus a historic clock by Dent.

Inside, the church contains chapels and memorials to many historic and local families, including the Sir Edmund Walsingham family — former lords of the manor — and their vaulted tombs still lie in the north-east chapel known as the Scadbury Chapel. There are also monuments to other notable residents and commemorations of those lost in the World Wars.

Stained glass windows — some by the celebrated artist Charles Eamer Kempe — as well as memorial tablets and wall monuments, create an atmosphere that links worship with a sense of deep history and connection to the past.

Today the church remains an active part of the community. It holds regular services under the Church of England — traditional Eucharist, All-Age worship, youth groups and midweek services — welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds.

The grounds include a spacious and well-tended churchyard with around 650 graves, some dating back to the 17th century, plus war graves recognized by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and a memorial garden for cremated remains.

With its blend of ancient architecture, layered history, local heritage and active parish life, St Nicholas Church remains a serene yet vibrant anchor in Chislehurst — a place where the past and present meet in quiet dignity.