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St Clement
OLD ROMNEY
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St Clement was built in the mid 12th century with a nave and chancel and the aisles were added in 13th century by simply cutting through the thick Norman walls. The interior has a complete set of 18th century fittings including a gallery and box pews.
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The box pews are now painted pink following a request from a film company who came to Romney Marsh to make a film based on the smuggling adventure ‘Dr Syn’, written by Russell Thorndike. The film director Derek Jarman is buried in the churchyard.
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Dedications to St Clement tend to relate to the time when the Dane Canute was King. St Clement was martyred by being thrown in the sea with an anchor tied around his neck; the dedication is also therefore a reminder of the village's maritime past.
Since 1934, the parish of Old Romney has been joined with that of Midley, where a ruined church 15th century wall stands today. This was once the "middle island" in the estuary of the River Rother.
Various scenes from "The Loves of Joanna Godden" (1946) were also filmed here.
Access
Usually open. Custodian, Charlotte Wilkinson 01797 362685. Further information about the local church community may be found on the website of the Romney Marsh Benefice.
Postcode: TN29 0HP
The ancient settlement is first mentioned is first mentioned in 741AD. An Saxon port existed here but silted up.
Unusually, the tower is built in the southwest corner rather than in a central position.
The churchyard contains many interesting tombstones.
The nave is covered by a 15th century tie-beam roof with impressive king-posts.
The main door would have once been on the south side of the church but has now been blocked.
The church has a minstrel's gallery - one of the two remaining on the marsh.
The font dates from about 1300.
Disney painted the interior pink for the 1963 technicolour film series "Dr Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh".
On the floor of the Lady Chapel is an unusual incised stone coffin slab, which remains a mystery.
Prior to the Reformation the interior would have been decorated.
The church is one of the most evocative on the marsh with numerous examples of craftsmanship.
Beautiful altar rails date from the reign of Queen Anne.
Find out more
Discover more about St Clement’s Church at Old Romney with our new self-guided tour. Scan the QR code on your mobile device or click the tour button to view online.
Listen online
An audio-only version of the tour is also available to listen to here.
The Marsh Mosaics Art Trail - Downloadable Handouts
