St Clement's Church

St Clement's Church. Historic Sandwich. Sandwich was once three separate Parishes until 1948 when they were united. St Clements became the only Parish church and St Peter's and St Mary's became redundant churches., The church is Saxon in origin, though it was rebuilt by the Normans in the 12th century. Since then, it has been altered and enlarged several times, so that only the fine tower is original Norman. The roof is almost unique in Kent, being In the East Anglian style. It was added in the 18th century when the nave was rebuilt. The steeple that originally surmounted the tower was removed in the 1670s, not long after the towers of St Mary's and St Peter's had collapsed. Inside the church is a Victorian restored medieval tiled floor and a font dating to c. 1400-06., Until 1683, the Mayor was elected in the church by common consent. No-one declined the offer to be Mayor - it was the right of the townspeople to demolish his house if he refused the honour. The church was also the gathering point during times of danger. At such times, the moot horn was blown and all men over 14 had to report to the mayor at St Clements., Outside the church grounds are the small streets of the old medieval town centre -- Short Street, The Chain, Fisher Street, and High Street. The Chain is so named because it is 66ft long, the length of one chain, an old English measurement.