romneydeanery.org.uk

The Church of St. Nicholas, New Romney has a mission not just to the Anglican Community, for which it is the Parish Church, but to the community of New Romney and Littlestone as a whole.

In addition to our regular services we offer special services for the community. There is, usually in Spring, an annual Church Service for the Mayor of New Romney, a Remembrance Sunday Service and a Community Carol Service at Christmas time. Recent innovations include a Service of Memories and a Star Service, whereby families can remember loved ones whom they have lost.

Children from New Romney Primary School take part in services on a regular basis.

We are keen to make our building available for public use. In recent years there have been annual concerts with the Canterbury City Band, the Hythe Town Band and the Cologne New Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra.

If you are visiting the area on a Sunday, please come and worship with us. Make yourself known to the Clergy or Churchwardens, who will be pleased to welcome you.

History

The Church of St Nicholas, located in the centre of New Romney, is one of the five ancient Cinque Ports. Its tower makes it a landmark on Romney Marsh.

Parts of the building date back to the times of William the Conqueror (1066-1087 AD), whose brother in law Bishop Odo began the construction in 1086. This makes it one of the oldest churches on the Marsh.

Visitors to the church will be intrigued to see that the floor is about 4 ft below ground level. This is due to a severe storm in 1287, which made the river Rother change course and devastated New Romney, causing its harbour to silt up. Stains from the mud that filled the church in 1287 can still be seen on some of the pillars. From this time New Romney ceased to be an important port.

In former times the Jurats of Romney Marsh (the magistrates who used to administer the laws locally) used to hold court in the church, sitting around the altar tomb dedicated to Richard Stuppenye, who died in 1526.

The church has a peal of eight bells which are rung on special occasions, and a large clock on the tower, dating from the early Nineteenth Century.

According to ancient custom, a "boy bishop" lights the Advent candles in St Nicholas' Church in the weeks before Christmas.

For security, we have to keep the church locked much of the time. However it is open on Saturdays from 1000-1600, and at other times.