A Quick Tour of St Mildred's Church Tenterden
The Church of England in Tenterden, Rother and Oxney
Appledore - Ebony - Newenden - Rolvenden - St Michael's - Smallhythe-Stone - Tenterden - Wittersham
WELCOME
St Mildred's Church, Tenterden
We'd like to wish you a very warm welcome to St Mildred's Church, Tenterden. Please pick up a leaflet, read the text on the numerous vertical banners and start self exploring.
On your way round, find a seat and enjoy the peace and stillness. The Lady Chapel is set aside especially for this. We love this church and find God here. We hope that you will too.
WE EXTEND A SPECIAL WELCOME
To those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, of every gender under the sun, confused, well-heeled or down-at-heel. We especially welcome wailing babies and excited toddlers.
We welcome you whether you can sing like Pavarotti or just growl quietly to yourself. You're welcome here if you're just browsing, just woken up or just got out of prison. We don't care if you're more Christian than the Archbishop of Canterbury or haven't been to church since Christmas ten years ago. We extend a special welcome to those who are over sixty but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome keep-fit mums, football dads, starving artists, tree huggers, latte sippers, vegetarians, vegans, and junk food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you're having problems, are down in the dumps or don't like organised religion. We offer welcome to those who think the Earth is flat, work too hard, don't work, can't spell, or are here because granny is visiting and wanted to come to the church. We welcome those who are inked, pierced, both or neither.
We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down their throats as kids or are killing time before their steam train departs.
We welcome pilgrims, tourists, seekers, doubters... AND YOU!
THE FONT
The font holds the water used in the Christian ceremony of baptism (sometimes known as christening). Baptism is the moment of initiation into the Christian Church and the Christian Faith, and a wonderful way to celebrate God's love for us, whether as a baby, a child, or an adult.
Our font dates back to c.1400. It is hexagonal in shape, with a central column and six subsidiary columns.
THE SHIP
This is a scale model of the Grand Mistress, a ship built in the nearby shipyards at Smallhythe, for the navy of Henry VIII. It hangs in the part of the church called the 'nave? The nave of the church is like an upturned ship (look up at the ceiling), and in the ship of the church we journey safely through life with God.
Tenterden is one of the Cinque Ports, an historic confederation of coastal towns in Kent and East Sussex, originally established for maritime defence and trade. Smallhythe was once a major shipbuilding centre, before the sea silted up and became unnavigable.
THE CEILING
Our ceiling dates from the fifteenth century. At this time, various other alterations were made, and the tower was built. A careful observation will reveal signs of Victorian alterations, a time of much restoration.
Use the wheeled mirror to view the ceiling. That way, you will be able to look at it without falling over!
LADY CHAPEL
This small chapel, dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a place to be quiet and reflect. During the week we hold Morning Prayer here and also a weekly celebration of Holy Communion. At other times, small services and group meetings take place in this chapel. In the Lady Chapel is the Whitfeld tomb. Note the helmet above.
Please light a candle and spend a little time in this oasis of calm with your thoughts and prayers.
THE PULPIT
The pulpit is a raised structure from which the sermon can be delivered. Once in it, the speaker is more easily seen and heard. The word 'pulpit' comes from the Latin 'pulpitum, meaning platform or staging. Around the pulpit are carved figures of some of the early Christian saints: Ambrose, Gregory, Bede, Augustine and Jerome.
The pulpit, choir stalls and screen were designed by George Frederick Bodley (1827-1907), an eminent church architect.
THE ALTAR
The Altar is a table, around which we gather to celebrate Holy Communion, or Eucharist. Bread and wine are shared, as Jesus shared bread and wine with his followers immediately before his death on the Cross. During the supper, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, as an act of humble service.
The Holy Communion, or Eucharist, is our family party, a symbol of friendship and love, through which God nourishes us and enables us to 'go in peace to love and serve the Lord'
THE LECTERN
The Lectern holds the Bible from which readings are delivered during a service. The eagle design of our lectern symbolizes the gospel writer, John, who is often associated with an eagle in Christian art.
The eagle is holding the world in its talons, a symbol of the 'gospel' ('good news') of Jesus Christ spreading to all corners of the world.
THANK YOU
Thank you for popping in to St Mildred's. We hope you enjoyed your visit.
Here at St Mildred's, we worship God, share the gospel of Jesus Christ, welcome all who come, celebrate and pass on our rich Christian heritage, and discover our place in God's world and the local community.
To help us carry on doing all these things, please give a donation in a way that doesn't bankrupt you. Simply drop a cash donation into the adjacent red safe, use the card reader or the QR code. Whether your gift is large or small, or somewhere in between, we thank you for it.
May God bless you as you leave this holy place