Copyright Kent Past 2010
Kent Past
The History of Kent
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History of Wouldham
Wouldham comes from the Old English ‘hām’ meaning a ‘village, homestead’ combined with a warlord’s name; therefore, ‘Wulda’s homestead/village’. The Domesday Book chronicles Wouldham as Oldeham.
Wouldham church is a Grade: I listed building, dedicated to All Saints. The Saxons built the church in the 10th or 11th centuries. The Normans added the north and south aisles in the 12th century. They made further extensions in the following two centuries, with the tower being the final stage in the 15th century. There is a record of three bells being present in 1552. Joseph Hatch replaced the three bells with a ring of four in 1624. In 1880, the architect Ewan Christian carried out major restoration work, with a new roof, pews and floors. He also raised the sanctuary floor and reopened the lancets. Mears and Stainbank added two bells, a treble and a tenor, to make six in 1899…. more