St. George's is a generously proportioned late 13th century church with a 15th century tower and porch. It is a Grade I listed building. The Church dominates the village square at the centre of Wrotham, a village of just under 800 households and some 2,500 inhabitants, lying on the Pilgrims Way. St. George’s is the only place of worship in the village. It is the second church to be built on the site – the first dating back to the middle of the 10th century - also dedicated to St George.
It has a passage through the base of the tower, unique to Kent and relatively rare in England. The passage was probably made to allow the annual Corpus Christi procession around the Church without needing to go outside consecrated ground, as the tower forms part of the western boundary of the churchyard. On the west side of the passage there is a large piece of sandstone with curious marks. These were probably made by archers sharpening their arrows on the stone on their way to the butts for archery practice. Alternatively they may be remnants of crosses which were often incised on external walls or perhaps wear from pilgrims marking what might have been a holy stone with the sign of the cross.
The peal of eight bells is reputed to be one of the best in Kent. The number at one time was six, but increased to eight in the mid-18th century. It is recorded that at a Vestry meeting in 1754, when repairs were being made to the tower, that "the six bells be taken down and carried to some foundry or other proper place and there melted down or cast into a complete peal of eight, with such additions of new metal as may be required.” These eight were again recast in time for the coronation of King George V in 1911.
The clock was made in 1614 and is probably one of the oldest church clocks in the country. It is still in excellent mechanical order. It has a carillon (repeater) and is capable of playing one of five selectable tunes at selected hours.
In the niche over the entrance to the porch is a statuette of St George by Willi Soukop RA. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy before being placed in its present position and replaces a statuette that was stolen in 1971.
The tomb situated on the north wall of the north aisle is the oldest in the church and reputed to be that of the founder of the church, Richard de Wrotham. On the same wall, there is a curious bulge in the masonry about three or four feet above floor level. Some believe that this was intended to act as a support for "sickly worshipers" as there appears to be no structural purpose for this additional masonry.
The windows in the main have been heavily renewed or, as in the case of the south and north windows in the chancel, replaced during the 19th century. None of the stained glass is particularly old – mainly 19th century with some 18th century glass in the south aisle.
The font dates from the 13th century and probably dates back to the original church on the site. It is octagonal in shape and remarkable because it has two shallow sunk panels on each of its eight sides. Each of these panels probably contained a carving of a single figure, but they have all been effaced. The bowl is supported by eight columns which are a later addition and may have replaced earlier columns.
The 19th century pulpit is considered by some to be the finest feature of St. George’s. The pulpit is constructed of stone with marble and alabaster shafts and supported by a well carved group of large angels.
There are a number of brasses recessed into the floor in front of the chancel screen.
The current Organ was built in 1883 by Forster and Andrews of Hull and is situated on the north wall of the chancel. It is over 30 foot tall and is pierced by one of the tie beams of the chancel roof.
It is not necessary to enter the church building to get the information you need to find the cache but I would highly recommend doing so, there is so much to see. The information I have given here is taken from the church's own website and I have cut it down tremendously.
The information you need can be found by climbing the steps then following the path around to the left of the church and locating the memorial stone of Ethel Emily Platt and note the dates in the inscription 2nd August ABCD, 20th August EFGH. Apply this, then, to the following:
N51° 18. A+E+H H-C A+D
E000° 18. E+H F*G B-A
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