History of the Altar of St. Mary's Church

(quoted from a 4-page pamphlet purchased at St. Mary’s Church in Brook)

Our ancient stone altar had lain in the churchyard on the south side of the church for many years. It was moved in 1966 because it caused an obstruction during grass cutting. At the time it was considered to be a gravestone or part of a burial vault and it was only when it was disinterred that its true nature was revealed. (Final confirmation of this was provided by the British Museum.)

Lack of funds precluded any further action at that time and, as a temporary measure, it was stored in the tower room.

In 1986 it was decided to re-instate it in the chancel. The work was carried out by Mr. Aldridge, a Canterbury stonemason.

The chancel floor had to be raised 6” to make it level with the medieval tiling in the sanctuary. New quarry tiles had to be used as the old Victorian ones broke in the process of moving them. The floor was then faced with York stone. 

As the stone weighed over a ton, the next step was to make two supporting piers of Kent ragstone, before the stone was moved through the tower room door (one eighth of an inch clearance on either side!) on a trolley and then lowered onto the piers.

We celebrate the Eucharist with the communicants gathered in a semi-circle round the altar.

(In the tower room can be seen the post-Reformation Communion table. Before the re-erection of the stone altar, the Eucharist was celebrated either with the communicants gathered round the wooden table free standing in the chancel or kneeling at Communion rails in the sanctuary, behind which stood a local made wooden altar.)

P.S.