Christ Church, Kilndown, church in Kilndown, Kent, England, UK
Christ Church in Kilndown is a Grade I listed church building made of sandstone in this Kent village. The structure features a broad nave with a wooden hammerbeam roof and a tall western tower topped with a pointed stone spire, while its leaded windows contain mostly German-made stained glass.
Built beginning in 1839 and opened in 1841, the church was funded by William Beresford, a British military commander during the Napoleonic Wars. Originally intended as a chapel to serve the nearby Goudhurst church, it became an independent parish through legislation in 1843.
The church displays typical Gothic Revival features with its plain, symmetrical form and no side aisles, emphasizing traditional Christian building methods. The stained glass windows from Germany depicting the Virgin Mary, saints, and religious scenes add artistic character to the interior space.
The church sits on a quiet street in Kilndown village and is easy to reach on foot, with the rough sandstone and tall tower making it visible from the road. Visiting during regular services offers the best access to the interior, when the doors are open and you can see the full space without restriction.
During World War Two, bombs falling nearby in 1940 damaged the church, breaking windows and loosening roof tiles. Despite this wartime damage, the building was repaired and maintained, earning Grade I protection status in 1980 that has helped preserve it since.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
