IVYCHURCH

 

Ivychurch is a huge parish (NOT named for a church covered in ivy, but from the Ive Circe 'The church on the isle in the waters'), although the village itself holds less than 200 people. It lies on the old road from New Romney to Ashford, and the focal point is its very large church, which is dedicated to St. George, and known locally as 'The Cathedral Of The Marsh' The church lies behind the pub, the Bell Inn, which used to act as a central point for local activities until the church was altered so that it could be used.

There is a local legend that, about 200 years ago, the Rector arrived at the church to conduct the Sunday service but was turned away by a local, who told him there wouldn't be a service, because the pulpit was full of baccy, and the vestry was full of brandy! Apparently, the Rector just nodded and went home to enjoy a roast dinner! Not an unusual tale of the Marsh for its' time. It's no wonder that Russell Thorndike found so much inspiration for his tales of Doctor Syn.

When I say it's a large church, I'm not kidding. It's huge! It may not look it from the above picture, but trust me! There are indications that the church was built on the site of an earlier one.

(below) there is a parvis chamber above the South door.

Just a few descriptions for now, but I have a lot of notes and research to sort through.

This is another of the Marsh churches which has a Marsh Mosaic

The sanctuary

The Lady Chapel in the North Aisle. The east window here has been infilled, but the tracery remains visible. I think that makes it quite an attractive feature. There are traces of a 14th. century wall painting on the wall to the right.

Beautiful painting on panel

The church these days has a very small congregation that is catered for by seats in the Chancel. The pews have been cleared from the central nave, and the space is used as a village hall and community area.

The equivalent space in the North Aisle is now a museum of local rural agricultural artefacts. The floor here is very old bricks, and boards have been laid to walk on, as they're very uneven. Local legend  declaims that the tiles were removed when Cromwell stabled his horses in the North Aisle!

The North Aisle was once used as the village school, although the altar remained in situ. The collection of artefacts was once the personal collection of Eli Frith, a local farmer. My father was shepherd to the Friths at one point in time.

This is a coffin barrow. You can see how uneven the brick floor is

A coracle would come in very handy when the Marsh is flooded!

The George III hatchment is a bit larger than most, and square rather than lozenge shaped. It's in  very good condition.

Some of the intriguing agricultural implements on display in the North Aisle

Lovely old embroidery, which is apparently chenille-work from France. The sheet below explains it all

A hudd - a kind of wooden umbrella to protect the priest from the weather whilst performing a service at the graveside.

I didn't photograph the font, as it is quite plain and no rain is forecast! That's important, because the steps are carved from a very porous stone, which apparently get damp when rain is expected......