All Saints Church in Allhallows

For almost 1000 years, All Saints has stood like a jewel in the marshlands.

Allhallows has a unique and fascinating history.  Roman remains have been found in the area.  But even before the Roman invasion Allhallows would have occupied a strategically important site on the mouth of the Thames estuary.  Separated from the Isle of Grain by Yantlet Creek which was once an important and well used navigable channel between the Thames and the Medway Rivers. 

Very little of the ancient village remains today, but the church is a time capsule witnessing not only to the past history of this unique area but of an abiding Christian presence despite centuries of change and upheaval.

Although we cannot say with any great accuracy when the church was first built and what form it took, it seems certain that All Saints is one of the seven churches on the Hoo peninsular that are mentioned in the dooms day of 1885.  Its existence at this date and the remains of some Saxon decoration on some of the internal west walls would indicate that the church building was in existence for some considerable time prior to that.

The Church was first enlarged around 1140 with the addition of the South Aisle and the building of octagonal pillars to support the arches.  The work was carried out by local craftsmen with some very original rustic decoration.  One of the many old world charms that speak of the slow but sure pace of life is the marriage register,  This is the oldest marriage register in the country that is still in use today!  In fact it is a little controversial, as the first entry into the register was entered some 6 months prior to the passing of the act of parliament which made it valid!  

The old building has seen the sweep of history from the invading Normans to Dutch raiders, from Wyatt's Rebellion to German bombers.