Minster Abbey churchyard repaired
Published
Wednesday 7 August, 2024
Updated
Wednesday 7 August, 2024
An ancient abbey that survived a deadly Viking raid and the destruction of monasteries by King Henry VIII has been given a new lease on life thanks to Swale Borough Council.
The once crumbling exterior walls of Minster Abbey, a historic church on the Isle of Sheppey, have been expertly repaired including the re-construction of the lych gate.
The Grade 1 listed church sits on the highest point on the island, overlooking the entirety of Minster on Sea, and has been an important place of worship for more than 1,400 years.
The church – officially named The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Sexburgha - was built by the Queen of Kent in 664 and began its life as a monastery, home to almost 100 nuns.
The history of the church includes, near destruction from a Viking raid, being rebuilt in the 12th century by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and then miraculously being spared during Henry VIII dissolution of England’s monasteries.
Minster Abbey is an important part of the Island’s history and features the Gatehouse Museum and is home to famous artifacts such as the stunningly detailed de Northwode brasses dating back to 1330.
The repairs to the church cost £13,981 and include:
- outer wall repairs such as filling holes and repointing
- lych gate re-construction
- levelling of the stone path from the south entrance
- reconstructing the east entrance wall
- stopping and filling a sinkhole within the churchyard
These repairs, funded by the Improvement and Resilience Fund and closed churchyard reserves, follow work done to St Michael's Church in Sittingbourne and is part of the council’s statutory duty to maintain closed churchyards.
Cllr Mike Baldock, the heritage champion of Swale, said:
“Minster Abbey has been a symbol of resilience for over a thousand years and perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Isle of Sheppey.
“The historical value of the church is incredible; surviving defining events in England’s history and even incorporates Roman elements within the architecture, having been built on an ancient outpost.
“To this day the Abbey serves as an important place of worship for local residents, and as a fitting monument to Swale's rich pre-Norman heritage and it deserves our respect and care.
“While closed churchyard repairs are a statutory duty, we are proud to be able to facilitate these repairs, making sure this beautiful Grade 1 listed building can be enjoyed by future generations.
“We have put an emphasis on making quality repairs to our closed churchyards which are fitting of the beauty of our historic assets, not just ugly patch repairs which will create additional costs down the line.”
