Faversham Parish Church
Encyclopedia
St Mary of Charity, Faversham Parish Church is one of the most immediately recognisable buildings in the town of Faversham
in Kent
. The spire dominates the town skyline and is visible for some distance.
The church is all that remains of a previously much larger religious community around Faversham Abbey
which was established in 1147 by King Stephen
and dissolved by Henry VIII
Although the church itself was founded in the medieval era, the flying spire, known as a crown or corona spire, by which it is recognised dates to the 18th century - a period of prosperity for the town of Faversham. The church itself is much larger than might be expected and is reputed to be the second largest in Kent, after Maidstone
. This gives the church a distinctive acoustic and, unusually among parish churches, makes it big enough to hold a symphony orchestra for concerts. The interior was restored
and transformed by Sir George Gilbert Scott
, known for his St Pancras Station, the Foreign Office and many college and cathedral buildings, in 1874.
Notable features of the church include the reputed tomb of King Stephen
(the church is thus one of only a few churches outside London where an English king was interred), nationally important misericords in the Quire, a rare medieval painted pillar and a recently installed altar dedicated to Saints Crispin
and Crispinian.
The church supports a strong choral tradition with a choir of adults and children who sing Anglican Matins, Evensong and Communion. The current Director of Music is the composer, Steven Sivyer
.http://www.faversham.org/pages/standard.aspx?i_PageID=11962 The choir is affiliated with the RSCM and currently has three singers who hold the highest RSCM Award: the Gold Award.
Faversham
Faversham is a market town and civil parish in the Swale borough of Kent, England. The parish of Faversham grew up around an ancient sea port on Faversham Creek and was the birthplace of the explosives industry in England.-History:...
in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
. The spire dominates the town skyline and is visible for some distance.
The church is all that remains of a previously much larger religious community around Faversham Abbey
Faversham Abbey
Faversham Abbey was a Cluny style monastery immediately to the north-east of the town of Faversham in the county of Kent in England.It was founded by King Stephen and his queen Matilda of Boulogne in 1148. A party of monks from Bermondsey Abbey provided the nucleus and the first abbot.The Abbey was...
which was established in 1147 by King Stephen
Stephen of England
Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda...
and dissolved by Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
Although the church itself was founded in the medieval era, the flying spire, known as a crown or corona spire, by which it is recognised dates to the 18th century - a period of prosperity for the town of Faversham. The church itself is much larger than might be expected and is reputed to be the second largest in Kent, after Maidstone
Maidstone
Maidstone is the county town of Kent, England, south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river was a source and route for much of the town's trade. Maidstone was the centre of the agricultural...
. This gives the church a distinctive acoustic and, unusually among parish churches, makes it big enough to hold a symphony orchestra for concerts. The interior was restored
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
and transformed by Sir George Gilbert Scott
George Gilbert Scott
Sir George Gilbert Scott was an English architect of the Victorian Age, chiefly associated with the design, building and renovation of churches, cathedrals and workhouses...
, known for his St Pancras Station, the Foreign Office and many college and cathedral buildings, in 1874.
Notable features of the church include the reputed tomb of King Stephen
Stephen of England
Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda...
(the church is thus one of only a few churches outside London where an English king was interred), nationally important misericords in the Quire, a rare medieval painted pillar and a recently installed altar dedicated to Saints Crispin
Crispin
Saints Crispin and Crispinian are the French Christian patron saints of cobblers, tanners, and leather workers. Born to a noble Roman family in the 3rd century AD, Saints Crispin and Crispinian, twin brothers, fled persecution for their faith, ending up in Soissons, where they preached Christianity...
and Crispinian.
The church supports a strong choral tradition with a choir of adults and children who sing Anglican Matins, Evensong and Communion. The current Director of Music is the composer, Steven Sivyer
Steven Sivyer
Steven Sivyer is a composer and organist currently based in Kent. He is the director of music at St.Mary of Charity, Faversham Parish Church and runs a successful church choir. The choir has received many awards from the RSCM including the highest Gold Award with two successful candidates in 2007....
.http://www.faversham.org/pages/standard.aspx?i_PageID=11962 The choir is affiliated with the RSCM and currently has three singers who hold the highest RSCM Award: the Gold Award.