Holy Trinity, Charing Heath
Holy Trinity, Charing Heath
The ecclesiastical parish of Holy Trinity, Charing Heath, was created in 1874 to serve the villages of Lenham Heath and Charing Heath
The building of the former school and the church was made possible by gifts of land and money from the Sayer family of Pett Place, Charing, especially Charlotte Sayer. The east windows were given in her memory. The graves of family members are in the front of the churchyard and the last Miss Sayer was buried there in 1997.
The exterior of the church is of plain stone in Early English style, consisting of apsidal, turret with a single bell, nave and north porch.
In addition to the chancel windows, various gifts from the Sayer family are in regular use, among them the lectern and the sets of altar frontals, with matching pulpit falls.
Local wheelwright, Frank Howland, a member of the congregation, made the pulpit in 1933 and church members also made the hassocks between 1973 and 1975.
In 1988, the church was re-roofed, and in 1995 the floor on the south side was renewed, along with the electrical wiring and heaters. At the same time, the font was repositioned and the cupboards and notice board were built at the west end of the church.
The electric organ was installed in May 1996.
To commemorate the millennium, Joan Pettengell designed a runner for the altar step. Parishioners and friends of Holy Trinity Parish Church stitched the runner. It was designed, financed and worked with love as a thanksgiving for the past and as a sign of hope for the future.
The Village
Introduction
Nestling at the foot of the South Downs, situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the parish of Holy Trinity, Charing Heath, was created in 1874 to serve the villages of Lenham Heath and Charing Heath.
The building of Charing Heath Church and adjacent school (now a private dwelling) was made possible by gifts from the Sayer Family of Charing, who gave generously of land and money.
Facilities
- Anglican (Parish) Church
- Free Church
- recreation ground with children’s play area
- The Red Lion public house.
- Tiddlers, parent and toddler club
- village hall
- www.ukvillages.co.uk
Organisations
- Churchyard Conservation Group
- French conversation classes
- Neighbourhood Watch
- Over 60’s Tea club
- Red Heathens Football Club
- short–mat bowls club
- Village society
- WI