The Parish Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe

St Mary and St Eanswythe’s Church stands near the cliffs of Folkestone, overlooking the English Channel. Parts of the building date from the 13th century, though most of what stands today was rebuilt in the 19th century. It is unusual for having a central tower, a feature that sets it apart from many other churches. The church is dedicated to two figures: St Mary and St Eanswythe, an Anglo-Saxon princess. St Eanswythe was the granddaughter of King Æthelberht, who was converted to Christianity by Augustine of Canterbury. She is believed to have been the abbess of a nunnery on this site around the year 630. The church’s history is marked by destruction and rebuilding. The original nunnery may have been lost to the sea or sacked by Vikings in 867. A new monastery, Folkestone Priory, was built in 1138, and the relics of St Eanswythe were brought into the church that same year. The building was damaged by fire in 1216 and restored soon after. In the 19th century, Canon Matthew Woodward oversaw major changes, with work carried out by R. C. Hussey and Stallwood. The church’s organ, built in 1894, has 39 stops and was enlarged in 1930. Inside, visitors find the 13th-century chancel arcade and 15th-century chapels dedicated to St Eanswythe and the Lady Chapel. The three altar windows and chapel windows were designed by C. E. Kempe. A reliquary discovered in 1885 holds the remains of St Eanswythe, confirmed by scientific examination in 2020. The churchyard, once closed, now allows new burials under special permission. The organ, rebuilt in the south transept, remains a notable feature of the church.