Saturday 3 September 2022

St Martin, Eynsford

Eynsford is an elongated village with a pretty bridge and ford next to each other, both overlooked by the prominent tower and shingled spire of St Martin. The road over the bridge leads to Lullingstone Roman Villa, famous for its 4th century Christian wall paintings.

The church comprises a west tower and porch, nave, north aisle, south transept, chancel and an apsed sanctuary, much altered during its life, and now very brightly whitewashed and with a modern stone floor. It dates from the late 11th or early 12th centuries, clearly seen in the elaborate 12th century west doorway, which has a rounded arch with double rows of zig-zag and spirals, which continue down the sides. A smaller and later pointed doorway is set within the earlier one. The tower itself is 13th century, as is the south transept. 

Inside, the chancel has two blank arches of similar 13th century date, indicating two long vanished north chapels, the pointed lancets within them reset following their demolition. The chancel's south wall has two Norman windows, but the chancel arch itself is 14th century. The north aisle (with cross gables) is 16th century.

After this rather complicated architectural history, the furnishings are relatively limited: there is a handsome and well preserved Perpendicular font with alternating rosettes and shields; an unusual trefoiled double piscina on shafts in the chancel, and a very jolly Coat of Arms to George III. In the porch are two mediaeval stone coffins.

Eynsford is part of the Benefice of Eynsford with Farningham & Lullingstone, and has a weekly all-age communion with choir and Sunday School, except for the first Sundays, which have an alternating joint service with Lullingstone.

St Martin, Station Rd, Eynsford DA4 0EH

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