Addington, The Village And St Mary's Church c.1950

More about this scene

The church of St Mary was founded in the 11th century and was enlarged and over-restored in the Victorian era, but it still retains its Norman chancel and original windows. Addington Palace, close by, was originally a hunting lodge for Henry VIII; it was rebuilt in 1770 and sold to the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1808, who occupied it as a summer residence until 1896. It is now the headquarters of the Royal School of Church Music. Five archbishops are buried in the church or the churchyard, where they are commemorated by a cross erected in 1911.