Holy Cross Church, Bearsted, Medieval parish church in Bearsted, England
Holy Cross Church is a medieval parish church in Bearsted with a distinctive square stone tower featuring carved beasts at its corners. The roof is covered in local tiles, and the interior shows construction phases spanning several centuries.
Construction of the church began in the 13th century and continued through the 14th and 15th centuries with notable eastern modifications to the arcade structure. This gradual development reflected the community's growth and changing architectural preferences.
The Milgate Chantry north of the aisle was once a private prayer space that passed to nearby Milgate House after its dissolution in 1536. This shift shows how religious buildings found new purposes during the Reformation.
The church is generally accessible during service times, with regular Sunday worship in the main building and an alternative service held in a nearby hall. Visitors should expect uneven ground in the churchyard and plan to arrive on foot.
The churchyard holds the burial site of John Dyke, the last person executed by hanging at Penenden Heath in 1830. This somber historical connection makes the site notable in local criminal history.
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