Church visitation (1773)

Post date: Feb 27, 2013 10:31:16 AM

In Kent archives (reference CKS/-DRa/V/e/5) are the results of of a church visitation.

In 1773 John Law, Archdeacon of Rochester, held a visitation in his archdeaconry of Churchs and Chapels. The archdeacon is the second ranking clergy man in a diocese and responsible for administrative affairs.

The results of the visitation for Malling deanery (Yalding, Wateringbury, Teston, Ryarsh, Pembury, West Malling, Leigh next Tonbridge, Horsemonden, Capell, Birling, Barming, Ashurst ) are held in Kent archives (CKS/-DRa/V/e/5 ). For each parish there is a standard set of printed documents including a Notice, Letter to the vicar, and detailed questionnaire (Articles of Enquiry), and certificate that noted defects have been remedied. The questionnaire covers the following areas:

· Church and Chancel

· Furniture

· Books

· Vestments

· Utensils

· Ornaments

· Church Yard

· Benefactions

· Parochial Library.

It would appear that defects were sometimes noted on the questionnaire by the churchwarden and at other parishes it would appear to have been done by the visitor.

Yalding seems to have been completed by the visitor and notes 2 defects:

· The shingles on the south side of the Church to be repaired.

· The Church and Chancel to be whitewashed.

Teston seems to have been completed locally, with no evidence that the archdeacon actually attended, with an answer given to every question, often Yes, but with other answers highlighting defects such as “We have a Chest with 3 locks and keys for keeping the parish writings ; but no Chest for alms”. “We have one sound bell and two broken”. Etc.

Wateringbury’s questionnaire is blank where defects should be noted but a Jno Stone, as Churchwarden, signed the certificate that all defects had been remedied. Possibly all was perfect or it may be related to the fact that John Law had been vicar of Wateringbury in 1769/1770. He served as archdeacon for a long period from 1767 to 1827, some 60 years.