Harty, St Thomas Church, Isle of Sheppey

St Thomas the Apostle Church, Harty

St Thomas Church, Harty, has been called, with justification, Kent's most remote church. The church stands on a small island in an isolated corner of the Isle of Sheppey, looking out over salt marshes to the mainland. The church has no electricity, and stepping inside the ancient doorway feels like stepping back in time.

History

Tradition suggests that the church was built in 1089, possibly after a previous church on this site was destroyed by the Danes.

The church we see today is built to a very simple plan, with a nave, chancel, north aisle, north porch, and south chapel. The style is that of the late 11th or early 12th century, with evidence of a Norman arch high in the north wall. The south chapel is a later addition, probably built in the 15th century. The west wall and window had to be restored after they were damaged by bombs during WWII.

The church interior

Historians speculate that the church began as little more than a timber lookout station, and the structure was later redeveloped as a church. Ancient timbers lead up to the current bellcote.

The church was restored from 1878-80 under the direction of Joseph Clarke.

Historical Highlights

By far the most interesting historical treasure inside the church is a richly-carved 14th-century wooden muniments chest in the south chapel. This chest is said to have been found afloat in The Swale. The front of the chest, carved around 1375, has carvings that depict a pair of knights jousting. The carving has also been interpreted as a battle scene. Each knight is attended by a squire, while two onlookers watch from towers above the conflict.

1375 Flemish chest

This chest, known as a Flemish kist', was stolen from the church in 1987 but later recovered at an auction house before it could be sold. To ensure its security, the south chapel is blocked with an ornate metal screen, allowing visitors the chance to view the chest from a safe distance. One of the fleur-de-lys adorning the screen is thought to have come from Canterbury Cathedral.

There are similar timber chests at Faversham, Rainham, and Gravesend.

Other historical features include a 14th-century wooden screen and an ornate 14th-century statue niche in the sanctuary. The wooden pulpit is Victorian. The altar table in the Lady Chapel incorporates 15th-century carved panels. It is thought to have come from the church at Meopham.

The 14th-century screen

Unlike many country churches, there are only a few memorials inside the church. Set into the nave floor is a medieval memorial brass. This commemorates Habram Fare (d. 1512), who is missing his torso. Tucked away in the floor of the north chapel is a brass plaque in memory of Elizabeth Haward, who died in 1610. The stained glass is 19th and 20th-century work, including a window depicting sheep grazing. Two fragments of medieval glass survive in the west windows.

Curiously, there is no chancel arch, with the rood screen acting in its place to separate the nave and aisle from the chancel and Lady Chapel. High in the west wall of the north aisle are the remains of a Norman window, now blocked.

Habram Fare brass, 1512

The bellcote is supported by a framework of 15th-century oak posts, erected to give added strength. Access to the bellcote is by an unusual pole ladder; a single timber pole into which notches are cut to accept splines that form a rudimentary ladder.

The final highlight is a royal coat of arms to King George II, dated 1745.

Visiting

Harty Church is a delight, and its remote location only serves to make a visit here even more special. The church can only be reached by a narrow lane that leads south off the B2231 near Leysdown-on-Sea. The church is normally open to visitors and was open when we visited.