Copyright Kent Past 2010
Kent Past
The History of Kent
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History of Shoreham
Shoreham comes from the Old English word ‘Scora’ meaning the ‘shore of the sea or
lake, a river-
Shoreham parish church is a Grade: I listed building, dedicated to Saint Peter and
Saint Paul. The Normans built the church initially with just a nave and chancel,
although, extending and rebuilding it in the 14th century. In 1635, John Wilnar cast
and hung two bells, with John Hodson adding a bell in 1672 and another in 1675. In
1693, an unknown founder cast another bell. A fire in 1775 resulted in the need to
rebuild the tower. In 1798, Edward Hasted described the Shoreham church as ‘a neat
building, the steeple is of brick and has been lately erected, as well as the chancel
at the cast end’. In 1850, Charles and George Mears added a tenor to make six bells.
In 1886, the architect Henry Woodyer carried out the main and thorough restoration.
He also installed a pulpit, by Blore, initially built for, and stood in, Westminster
Abbey. Gillet and Johnston augmented the bells to eight with the addition of two
trebles in 1889. The church received further restoration work in the 1950’s. On 12
September 1982, the Bishop of Rochester rededicated the bells…. more
Shoreham railway station opened on the Sevenoaks Railway branch line, which spurred off a mile from Swanley on the London Chatham & Dover Railway's main London Victoria to Dover route, on 2 June 1862…. more