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The text reproduced below is copied from a leaflet compiled by L.W.Rogers.
The pictures are my own.
The purpose of this Pamphlet is twofold: firstly, to offer you a welcome to this ancient Parish church and secondly, to give you a short guide to assist in your tour of the Church.
There was a Church on this site in Saxon times and certainly one here in AD945. Parts of the present Church date from the XIthC.
In the exterior walling of the Chancel can be seen some Roman tiles from the Roman villas discovered nearby.
ORGAN This was originally in Bradbourne House, from whence it was removed and added to in 1868, being first placed in the Corpus Christi Chapel (south side) and then to its present position in 1934. It is a Gray & Davison instrument and has, in recent years, been renovated and improved.
Added note by H.E.Stephenson: The organ has been moved back to the Corpus Christi Chapel during 2003, and is now in the same place as it occupied during its original installation in 1868.
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BELLS There is a peal of 6 bells - 5 were cast in 1695 by James Bartlett, the Tenor weighing 11cwt. The Treble was added in 1831. The bells were re-hung on an eight-bell steel frame in 1962.
MEMORIALS Your attention is drawn to that of Richardus Manynham in the Sanctuary (left) and to the tablet in the Lady Chapel (north side of the Church) on the arch nearest the East window, erected to a former Vicar (d.1787) by a relative in North America.
Those in the Chancel have some connection with the residents of Bradbourne; the Lord of the Manor.
The graveslabs, incorporated in the flooring, were discovered under the wooden floor which was removed in 1934 due to infestation by Death Watch Beetle.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS These are modern (early XXthC) and were designed and presented to the Church by one of the nuns of Malling Abbey.
Added note by H.E.Stephenson: The Stations of the Cross were taken down during renovations in 2003 and were not on display when I visited the Church.
NAVE The roof is XIV-XVthC and was completely overhauled and made good in 1953, although a considerable amount of the original timber remains. Most of the beams were from old ships and adze marks can still be seen. In the late XIVthC the pitch roof was removed and the walls raised and pierced for the Clerestory windows.
The openings for a Rood Screen can be seen in the pillars nearest the Chancel arch.
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LADY CHAPEL (north side of the Church) There is a Decorated ceiling at the East end. The tracery lights contain much original XIVth & XVthC glass.
The north window by the Altar replaced one of ancient glass damaged in the last War. Some of the glass recovered was incorproated in the new window.
The reredos to the Altar, in memory of the late Septimul Wigan (d.1926), a former Vicar, was designed by the late Sir Ninian Comper and depicts the Beardless Christ.
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CHANCEL This part of the Church was previously owned by the Lords of the Manor, the last of whom, Sir John Rambskill Twisden, died in 1937. The outline of the walled-up windows can be seen - this was done to make more wall area for the Twisden Memorials.
Originally there were 'horse-box' pews in the Chancel, almost completely obliterating the view of the High Altar from the congregation. These pews were removed in 1939 and the Chancel panelled with the best of the timber (see commemorative panels by the sides of the High Alter).
The roof was changed from pitch to flat at the same time as that of the Nave.
The cupboard on the North wall bears a date, 1593 and the initials 'SM' which probably stand for Sancte Marie (St. Mary) as the Church was originally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The dedication was changed to its present form at the Reformation.
The Cupboard itself may have been used to house the Reserved Sacrament.
The grave slab to Matthew Thomlinson, by the Sacristy door (the Sacristy itself was the Lord of the Manor's waiting room) is of particular interest. He was a Colonel of the Parliamentary Horse during the Civil War and Charles I was committed into his custody awaiting execution.
The President's chair is dated 1652 and is paired with the one in the Priests's Stall, which bears to the word 'Anno'.
The Brasses of Isodia and Robert Selby (1479) and Richard Adams (Priest - 1522) are explained in the coloured representations above them.
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CORPUS CHIRSTI CHAPEL Note the Piscina (XIVthC) in the wall by the Altar.
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SOUTH PORCH The door leading from this Chapel has been there for over 600 years. The Porch has a XIVthC oak-trussed roof, and the Porch had the same purpose as a Lych-gate found in many ancient Churchyard entrances.
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FONT The unusual hinged cover over the Font is XVIthC. The Font itself is XIVthC. It was previously by the South Porch door and moved to its present position in 1934.
CHOIR VESTRY AND BELFRY STAIRS These were added between 1871 and 1878.
Before leaving the interior of the Church the visitor should stand centrally between the Organ and the Font and observe that the South wall of the Chancel inclines to the left. This is called a "Weeping Chancel" and is symbolic of Christ's head on the Cross, which generally is depicted as leaning on His right shoulder. The Church is 'Cruciform', i.e. the Tower and represents the foot of the Cross, the side Chapels the arms, and the Chancel the head.
EXTERIOR The whole of the exterior stonework was restored in 1960, the Tower in 1960 and 1995-6. Further work to the walls has been undertaken.
The outlines of the bricked-up windows and the Roman tiles, previously noted, can be clearly seen in the Chancel wall.
TOWER and CLOCK The Tower base is XIthC and from the string-course above the clock - XIVthC. Norman window openings can be seen in the sides of the Tower.
On the wall, to the left of the West door, is a tablet commemorating Mary Baker, who died in December 1753, aged 103 years.
To the right of the doors is a niche for a Holy Water stoup.
The original clock mechanism, 1611, is now in Maidstone Museum. A new copper face was fitted in 1960.
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RESTORATION WORK Modern restoration work to the fabric commenced in 1934, when Death Watch Beetle was first discovered, with another attack in 1962. Currently the exterior stonework has been dealt with. It is intended to replace the present heating and lighting systems, but much moeny still needs to be raised.
The oak Nave Altar and Communion rails were given in memory of Marie Burton by her family in 1983. Note the Craftsman's trade-mark (a mouse, on each of the items - Thompson of Kilburn, Yorkshire).
We hope you have had an enjoyable and interesting visit.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE, please say a prayer for the Clergy and People of East Malling.
Any donation you may be able to give for the upkeep of the Church will be greatly appreciated.
(Compiled by L.W.Rogers)
(Rev. 0501)
(Eb66/7)
Last Revised: 24th August, 2003.
