St. Mary the Virgin Church, Ripple
Church Lane, Ripple, Kent, CT14 8JL
The present Grade II* listed parish church occupies a site where a church building has stood since at least 1341. It was designed by Arthur Ashpitel and constructed on the site of the old building. The design is a simplified copy of the classic Norman church at Barfreston, the influence of which can be seen in the West doorway and the chancel arch. Unusually for a Victorian church, the tower is capped with a broach, now covered in textured stainless steel, replacing the original zinc.
The church contains memorials and tablets, including several to the French family, whose most famous son, Sir John (Lord) French, First Earl of Ypres, is buried in the churchyard. The sanctuary lamp, which at one time was kept permanently lit, is a memorial to Lord French. There are also memorials, and a funereal hatchment, to members of the Sladen family, particularly John Baker Sladen, in whose memory the stained glass in the East Windows was donated. There are also a number of memorials which excite the interest of naval historians, particularly Andrew Rand (which contains details of ships in relief on the base) and John Tracy William French.
On the south wall of the nave are two brasses removed from their original matrices on the floor and now mounted on wood, commemorating members of the Warren family ‘sometimes chief customer of Sandwich, Dover and the members thereof’, who died in the 16th century.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 14 September:
- 10:00 - 16:00
Location & directions
Church Lane, Ripple, Kent, CT14 8JL
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
