~ HOLY CROSS CHURCH ~
WESTGATE, CANTERBURY
Made redundant in 1973 and Converted in 1978 for use as the Guildhall
Holy Cross Parish Records available at the Canterbury Cathedral Archives 1563-1973
Overseer's Accounts, Holy Cross, Canterbury, 1642, Taken from "Our Parish Books", Vols. 1. and 11. by Mr. J. M. Cowper
As time progressed, the foreign colony amalgamated with the native inhabitants, and resorted to many of the parish churches, especially St. Peter's, Holy Cross, and St. Alphage, whose registers, replete with the names of "strangers," have been published and ably edited by Mr. J. M. Cowper, of Canterbury.
"We have now the church yard wall of Holy Cross* Westgate, on our left hand, where we see the church too, just as we arrive at the gatehouse. William Gostling 1825
*In the time of king Richard the Second, Holy Cross church was (as is now Northgate) over the gate, which when archbishop Sudbury took down and rebuilt, he erected the present church, and added a church-yard to it, with leave of the king.
Inscriptions inside Holy Cross Church from J. M. Cowper
Inscriptions from Holy Cross Churchyard from J. M. Cowper
List of proper names with the date of the first appearance of each in the Registers of Holy Cross Church. *I will transcribe this eventually
T. Sidney Cooper Esq. was married here
1581 the 11 of February was xpned* Edwarde the sonne of Clement Bright which was don in westgate Church bycause ye Keys of St. Peter's cold not be founde. J.M. *christened
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Holy Cross Church, the view from the riverside
1581 The 11 of June was maryed Agnes Lockwood to Anthony Layton servant to Mr. Nethersole and were maryed in westgate Church for yt the said Anthony was prysoner and so cam out downe from the gate to be maryed there. J.M.
William TERRY of Holy Cross, Westgate, Canterbury, victualler, keeps an alehouse in the parish of Westgate, and has kept evil order. Ordered that he be suppressed. East Kent Order Book - 1663/64 (ref. Q/SO/E1/f.80 (n.d.))
"A view of Holy Cross Church with scaffolding, you can see that they are working on the roof of the church"
This detail is from one of my postcards of the french gymnasts visit, the people are using the scaffolding to get a good view of the proceedings
Holy Cross at Westgate, so called, because it stood over that Gate, and had a Crucifix set up over the Porch, or Entrance of it. This Church was made into a Vicarage by the same Archbishop Stratford. In this Church are divers Monuments for William Charnel, styled first Chantry-Priest of Jesus, for the Fraternity of Jesus-Mass (as it was called) was kept of old in this Church. Stephen Matthews, (Pannarius) a Draper, Robert Col, (Pandoxster) a Brewer, John and Robert Nayler, Alderman, and Thomas Lynd the first Mayor of this City, with three Vicars in the Chancel, and Clement Harding, Batchelor at Law.
Magna Britannia Antigua& Nova 1738
Died at Canterbury, aged 71, Mrs. H. Castle, mistress of the sunday school in the parish of Holy Cross, Westgate without. MM1803
1806, Married at Icham, the Rev. J. P. FRANCIS, vicar of Holy Cross, Westgate, and rector of St. Peter's, both in the city of Canterbury, to Miss PECHEY, only daughter of John PECHEY, esq. MM vol 22
1838
Patrons, The Archbishop and The Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, alternately
Incumbent & Rector - John Peechy FRANCIS, St. Peter's Lane
Churchwardens:
J. Parker DEANE, St. Stephen's
William DAVEY, St. Dunstan's
Parish Clerk, J. HALSEY, Grove's Lane
Sexton, Richard SELLIN, Grove's Lane
A view of the Holy Cross Church Tower and Graveyard with St. Peter's Street in the background on the left (a photograph in my collection)
To Mr. Stahlschmidt I am also indebted for the following very valuable note on our Church bells:
"Holy Cross, Canterbury
In 1552 the inventory of Church goods recorded that there were here "item iiij bells and a wagerell bell in the steple." The Wagerell or "Sanctus" Bell being small probably soon disappeared, but the number of large bells probably remained at four until the year 1730, when another, cast by Samuel Knight, was added, making the number five. Knight's bell was re-placed, or re-cast in 1739. The five bells are inscribed as follows:
I. IOHN FISHER CH WARDEN 1739
II. ioseph hatch made me 1608 RF
III. ioseph hatch made me 1615 IH RC
IV. X STEPHANVS NORTONE DE KENT ME FECIT
V. IOSEPH HATCH MADE ME 1608 RD
Nos. 3 and 5 have also a medallion with three bells upon it - the foundry stamp of the Hatches. Their foundry which was at Ulcombe was carried on by three successive members of the same family - Thomas, Joseph and William. Their bells are found in abundance all over Kent - there are also a few in Sussex. The initials on Nos. 2, 3 and 5 are doubtless those of Churchwardens. No. 4 is an exceedingly rare specimen. The inscription is in large handsome Gothic Capitals, each letter being crowned, as is also the initial Cross and the "Stop" between each word. The maker, whose naem it bears flourished during the latter half of the 14th Century, but where is unknown. London and Maidstone both claim him. He was certainly buried in All Saint's Church, Maidstone. Only two other bells of his are known to exist - one at Snave in Romney Marsh, the other at Chiselborough, Somerset. We learn however from the Surrenden M.S.S. that there was also one by him at the Church of St. Mary in Dover Castle, the gift of Sir Robert Astone in 1381, which was still hanging there in 1630, when Sir Edward Dering made his notes.
Holy Cross Church was built by Archbishop Sudbury who was murdered by the followers of Wat Tyler in 1381. It is therefore, most likely that Stephen Nortone's bell was cast for the new church. Like the fine West Gate outside the church and the font inside, it has survived all the changes of over five hundred years. About the "Wagerell Bell" as it is frequently called, I can only say there was one at Chartham, one at Sandwich, one at St. Dunstan's, and one, given in 1584, at East Bridge Hospital*. The word itself I have not found in any dictionary to which I have had access.
*See Rambles Round Old Canterbury, p. 62 - (Joseph Meadows)
Copied from a loose leaf belonging to the Accounts of the Churchwardens of Holy Cross. Memorandum ye 6th and 7th Aprill 1699 an account of Moneys Colleckted by the Minsister Churchwardens and Ouerseers of the pish of Holly Cross West Gate Vpon the ffrench Prodistant Breife as ffoloweth
________________li
s d
Alderman Beuerton 00 02 06
Mr. Charles Killburne 00 02 00
Mr. Six 00 05 00
Charles Cooper 00 00 06
Mr. John Lepaine Senr 00 02 00
Mr. John Lepaine Junr 00 06 00
Mr. Santaine 00 03 00
Mr. John Reue 00 01 06
Widdow Taylor 00 00 06
Widdow Peleteer 00 00 06
Hannah Reuenden 00 01 00
Mary George 00 00 06
Samuel Six 00 00 06
Dauid Lepaine 00 00 06
Susan Lepaine 00 00 06
Mary Lepaine 00 00 06
Mary Six 00 00 06
Mrs. Dunbraine 00 02 06
Peter Morloo 00 05 00
Thomas Parker 00 00 01
William Martaine (sic) 00
John Redwood Junr 00 00 04
Henry Tilbe 00 02 00
John Goldfinch 00 01 00
John Nickolau 00 01 00
Lewis Dickefor 00 02 00
John Hills 00 00 06
Charles Slowman 00 00 02
Mrs ffreind 00 02 00
James Knott 00 02 06
Nathaniel Waite 00 00 03
William Williams 00 00 03
Peter ffremault 00 00 06
John Pettman Senr 00 02 06
John Pettman Junr 00 02 06
Thomas Smithard 00 01 00
Abraham Vallenduke 00 01 00
Rober Deane 00 01 06
George Taylor Senr 00 00 06
Richard Taylor 00 00 06
George Taylor Junr. 00 00 06
Thomas Ellis 00 00 02
Andrew Gentill 00 10 00
Peter Remee 00 00 06
John Cortew 00 00 06
Samuel Gouernett 00 00 06
John Shatterleer 00 00 06
John Bussue 00 00 06
Josias Hicks 00 00 06
Peter Spaine 00 00 06
Lenard Clark 00 00 02
Robert Pettman 00 01 00
_____________
Total 03 12 05
(Joseph Meadows)
"Holy Cross Church, the Westgate and the mill on the water"
James Six Monument and War Memorial
"At his house in Canterbury, James Six, esq. F.R.S. a gentleman well known to the lovers of science for his ingenious and successful pursuits in astronomy and natural philosophy; and whose natural genius and various abilities distinguished him, from the many, among those who were intimate with him, though his modesty kept him from that distinction his merit deserved. He was one of the French refugee families who settled at Canterbury in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, on account of the persecution of the Protestants in France, and established the silk trade there. Mr. Six was brought up to that business, but, on its decline, retired early in life, on a handsome competency, to pursue his love of science, and with care to educate his son and daughter. He was an eminent astronomer, having frequently made very accurate discoveries in that sublime study, which he communicated by occasionally corresponding with other astronomers all over Europe. He presented to the Royal Society an improved thermometer of his invention, described in their Transactions, vol. LXXII.; and an account of some experiments to investigate the variation of local heat, inserted in vol. LXXIV of the same work. These communications procured him the honour of admission into that learned body. He also made some useful experiments in electricity; and, having very good and expensive electrical machine, which he perfectly understood, he was ever ready to assist with practical skill whenever the medical opinion deemed that electrifying could be beneficial. He was also well known as a florist, and could, with peculiar beauty, taste, and precision, print the flowers he had reared, as well as use the pencil elegantly on other subjects, for amusement. His mind thus replete with variety of knowledge, he filled up the measure of his time, without having much to bestow, on general society, though his disposition was cheerful, communicative and philanthropic in the highest degree, which was evinced by his indefatigable attention to a Sunday school, principally instituted and zealously patronized, by him; which more especially he laboured to improve, and to which he dedicated his leisure hours more steadily, as a pious work to engage his thoughts at a period when the severe stroke of losing his only and very valuable and accomplished son oppressed his heart with the deepest sorrow. James Six, junior, M.A. of Trinity College Cambridge, had traveled with the son of Sir J. Stanley, and was justly and highly esteemed by that family. He traveled a second time, and died, early in life, of a fever, at Rome, Dec 4, 1786; where he was buried with peculiar honours, notwithstanding the general strictness of the Romish Church (see our vol. :VI. pp. 72, 90). His character being universally respected, a monument was erected there by Sir John Stanley, unknown to the parents of young Mr. Six, who have placed an elegant one in Westgate Church, Canterbury; to which also Mr. Six, with another gentleman*, have given an organ, which accompanied the voices of the little chorister's, who were fostered by his care, encouraged in piety and industry by his precepts, and indulged by his benevolence in whatever contributed to their well doing in their humble station. By them and many more he will long be sincerely lamented, for he was a good man, an useful member of society, and a good Christian. He has left a disconsolate widow, and an only daughter, truly worthy of such a father's fond affection, and married to Mr. May, an opulent brewer at Maidstone."
The Gentlemen's Magazine 1793
*possibly Mr. Robert Deane (see below from Rambles Round old Canterbury)
"The Plaque on the Holy Cross Church, now the Guildhall"
"Holy Cross Church, which stands just within West-Gate, is a low but spacious edifice, consisting of a nave, chancel, and aisles, with a square tower at the west end. It was built in the time of Richard the Second, after the demolition of the old Church of the same name, which formed the upper part of the ancient West-Gate; the King's license for the purchase of the ground bearing date in March, in the third of the above reign. In this fabric was a Mass or Chantry of remote foundation, to which belonged a Priest and Brotherhood, called the Fraternity of Jhesus Masse, which was suppressed in the second of Edward the Second, when its revenues were returned at 11l. 9s. 8d. annually. James Six, Esq. F.R.S. an ingenious naturalist and astronomer, lies buried here; he died in 1793."
Topographical, Historical, Descriptive, and Literary, Delineation's in Kent, E.W. Brayley, October, 1807 & exact The Beauties of England and Wales, 1808
"HOLY CROSS CHURCH & WESTGATE"
"Mr. Robert Dean purchased premises for the use of a Sunday school in the parish of the Holy Cross, which he then endowed with £200 stock, and in 1818 left £800 in the four per cents, as a further endowment for teaching children on the other days of the week; there are also several smaller bequests for the instruction of poor children in the various parishes."
From the 1831 Topographical Dictionary
Memorial to William Stains
"Holy Cross Church is situated near the Westgate, and on the south side of the street. It is a venerable edifice, with three aisles, a chancel and square tower, and was erected by Archbishop Sudbury, when he rebuilt the present gate, over which was the church of the Holy Cross. It was endowed with a vicarage in 1347, and belonged to the priors of St. Gregory. The living is united to the rectory of St. Peter; the Archbishop, and the Dean and Chapter are alternate patrons. There was formerly over the porch a large crucifix, as may be learnt from the will of Richard Marley, dated 1521, who ordered "his executors to see gilt well and workmanly the crucifix of our Lord, with the Mary and John standing upon the porch."
Directory 1847
"Holy Cross, Westgate. - The present church was built temp. K. Richard II; licence to purchase ground for the purpose is dated 10th March, 3d of K. Richard II, i.e. A.D. 1330. (Hasted.)"
Notes on the churches in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey 1852
The church of Holy Cross was removed by Abp. Sudbury (1374 - 81), from its old position above Westgate when that was rebuilt, and placed beside it. The talbot seiant, Sudbury's coat, appears within the porch.
A handbook for Travellers in Kent and Sussex 1858
The Westgate with Holy Cross Church on the left of the photo c. 1910
May 1896 - Miss Marion Harrison, A.R.C.M. (member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians) is the organist at Holy Cross Church and St. Martins *she gives lessons in Pianoforte and Organ playing and Harmony; also in German, 17, St. Paul's, Canterbury
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"Originally over the west gate itself, this church was moved to its present site by Archbishop Sudbury in 1480. The perpendicular tracery in some of the windows is fairly perfect, and in spite of early Victorian restoration, this church still retains much of its ancient character. It contains some good wood carving. In the tower is a peal of five bells, one of which, cast in the latter half of the fourteenth century, bears the inscription in Lombardic capitals, "Stephanus Nortone me fecit."
1899 H.F.C., B.A.D.
1899 - a window dedicated to the Hugenots (Bygone Kent) H.J. Goulden
On the upper part of the old Westgate itself, the original church of the Holy Cross was built. When Archbishop Sudbury demolished it, it was removed southward of the gate, to the present site. This site was granted for the special purpose by letters patent, dated in the third year of Richard II. (AD 1380). In token the name of the Church, as cross or representation of the crucifixion stood formerly in the entrance, the good order and keeping of which was provided for by the will of one Richard Marley, dated 1521 but this emblem of the Christian Faith has now disappeared. The church consists of a nave, a chancel, two aisles, and a low square tower.
The ancient paneling still forms the ceiling of the chancel and most likely extended, formerly over the ceiling of the whole church. There is an ancient square font, which is said to have been brought from the Cathedral. The brasses have all disappeared; but there are six benches with "miserere", carved on each in high relief, they are the least mutilated and purest pieces of antiquity in the church.
Goulden's Guide to Canterbury and the Cathedral, printed by H. J. Goulden High Street c. 1899
\
Miserere drawing from Holy Cross Church
"HOLY CROSS CHURCH" A detail from one of my postcards
"Holy Cross Westgate, was erected by Archbishop Sudbury about 500 years ago. It replaced the church which stood over the former Westgate, and which was pulled down when the Archbishop rebuilt a part of the city wall and erected the present Westgate. The church consists of a nave, chancel, and two aisles; it has a square tower at the south west corner, and formerly a porch and chantry stood where the road now intervenes between the church and the Westgate. Over the porch there was a sculptured representation of the Crucifixion-with Mary and John at the foot of the Cross. In a will dated 1521, Richard Marley instructed his executors "to see gilt well and workmanly the Crucifix of our Lord." The Crucifix, however, disappeared at the Reformation, and was replaced by the King's Arms. There was anciently a priest's room over the porch, for the accommodation no doubt of the priest of the "Jesus Masse," who was maintained by the "fraternity of the Jesus Masse, with the help and devotion of the parishioners." This Chantry was supported by lands and tenements in St. Dunstan's and Harbledown. The priests stripend, including cost of wax and wine, amounted to 7 pounds a year, the parish clerk having 6s. 8d. for ringing the said mass, and helping to sing it. The Fraternity was dissolved in the time of Edward VI. Holy Cross was frequently used for the performance of the "Miracle Plays" so common in the middle ages.
The church has undergone considerable alterations since it's erection; the present tower dates only from a few years since, the old structure having become unsafe; it contains five bells. No trace of the old chantry now remains, the site having been utilised in making the new road. Close to the spot on which this chantry stood there was buried the last criminal executed at Westgate, and a few aged citizens still remember seeing Nicholas Nolan hanged there, for highway robbery on the Sturry Road. The church is spacious but architecturally of no great interest. The windows are either late Decorated or Perpendicular. The chancel contains a three-light, pointed, east window and two square-headed windows on each side. It has a few old carved oak stalls, and there is a piscina in the south wall.
It also contains a mural monument to Deane John Parker, who died 1838, aged 72 years. Below this is a memorial to Robert Deane, "a man of meek and humble manners and unostentatious piety." We are told that a Sunday School which he founded in this parish, together with a gallery and organ erected at his own expense, remain to perpetuate his memory. But gallery and organ have already disappeared. Mr. Deane died in 1808 at the ripe age of 90. There is a monument to James Six, M.A., Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, who died at Rome, 1786, aged 62, Canterbury being his native place. The Six family were descended, we believe, from a celebrated Burgomaster of Amsterdam.
In Memoria ALMVNDVS COLPH
IN SPE REQVIESIMVS,
ET RESVRGEMVS
Into the tower has been shifted the monumental bust of Abraham Colfe, a worthy whose name and fame are all but forgotten in his native city. He died in 1656, and left his estate to the Leather Seller's Company, of which he was a member, directing, by his will, that 27s. yearly should be paid to the minister of "Rood Church," near the Westgate, to be spent in distributing bread to the poor. The font is octagonal, on a shaft of similar form; the carved wood cover is an elaborate piece of tabernacle work.
The font is now at St. Mary's in Minster-in-Thanet according to Canterbury Kent Family History Society
Holy Cross originally belonged to the Priory of St. Gregory. The vicarage was endowed by Archbishop Stratford in 1347. It was united with the rectory of St. Peter in 1681, by Archbishop Sancroft. The patronage is alternately vested in the Archbishop and the Dean and Chapter."
Rambles round old Canterbury 1884
*It was James Six's son who died in Rome, December 4, 1786, at a young age. James Six Senior died in Canterbury 1793.
"The Stour & Holy Cross Church"
A TIMELINE
April 1251, a record of 'Dominus' Robert, Vicar
of Holy Cross church, Westgate, who was the son of Thomas de Hereford,
with a note about his annual pension of 1 mark.
This site was granted for the special purpose of building this Church by letters patent, dated in the third year of Richard II. (AD 1380)
In 1421, the cemetery of Holy Cross Westgate is enlarged by a purchase from the Baliffs of part of the land called Roziers. - Gouldens Guide to Canterbury c. 1895
Mr. Fry, the Treasurer for the county stock of the Eastern parts, to pay Lancelott Kenneston, of Holy Cross, Westgate, surgeon, 40s. for a cure by him of John Taylor, a maimed soldier in Scotland's wars, by the appointment of Thomas Scott, esq., one of the justices of the peace. From the East Kent Order Book, Midsummer 1654
Midsummer 1660 On the petition of Lancelot Kenniston of Holy Cross, Westgate, near Canterbury, barber surgeon, that in former years he was surgeon to the county gaol, of which Thomas Simpson is keeper but was turned out of his employment by the late Powers of this Nation for his loyalty to our sovereign, ordered that he be restored to the said employment.
In 1739 Samuel Six made a reservation of a family vault for himself and his family.
In 1806 they took down the Rectory house of St. Peter, and built a new vicarage for the united churches of Holy Cross Westgate and St. Peter.
In 1844 there were alterations made to the church porch.
Marriage at Holy Cross, Canterbury, T.Sidney Cooper, esq. A.R.A. of Vernon Home, East Kent, to Mary, third daughter of W. Cannon, esq. of St. Stephen's, Canterbury - The Gentlemen's Magazine 1863 (Jan to June)
In 1876 they erected an iron gate and fence to enclose the right of way to the west door of the church.
In 1936 a War Memorial was erected.
In 1940 due to the War they built a surface air raid shelter in the churchyard.
In 1946 the organ was removed from St. Peter's church and given to Holy Cross Westgate.
In 1959 a provision was made for a new alter rail, and St.Vincent Littlebourne requested an organ from Holy Cross.
The church was redecorated in 1963, and then was converted in 1966, for the use of the Students at the University of Kent as an inter-denominational chaplaincy centre.
In 1972 the bells were removed to the Whitechapel bell foundry.
Made redundant in 1973.
Converted in 1978 for use as the Guildhall.
"Holy Cross & Westgate" c. 1902
June 1, 1880 Musical Times - Organ Appointments - Mr. Thomas STROUD to the Parish Church of Holy Cross, Westgate, Canterbury
About the church are several names which do not, strictly speaking, come under the head of Memorial Inscriptions, and these I proceed to give here.
Just above the springing of the arch of the north doorway there are, on the eastern side, the Arms of the See of Canterbury: and on the western side are the Arms of Archbishop Sudbury (A.D. 1375-1381), who built the church: Sable, a hound sejeant within a bordure engrailed argent. Archbishop Sudbury also built the West Gate of the city.
Next in order of time come the church bells. And here I may add we possess what few Fourteenth Century churches can boast of having, and that is a bell which was placed within it when the church was built.
The inscriptions on our five beels are as under:
I. IOHN FISHER CH WARDEN 1739
II. joseph hatch made me 1608 RF
III. joseph hatch made me 1615 IH RC
IV. STEPHANVS NORTONE DE KENT ME FECIT
V. IOSEPH HATCH MADE ME 1608 RD
Joseph Hatch died in 1639, and was buried at Broomfield in the county. Stephen Northon flourished as a bellfounder from 1363 to 1381. He was buried in Maidstone Parish Church.* (see The Church Bells of Kent, by J.C.L. Stahlschmidt: 1887)
I come now to the Inscriptions on the Church Plate. The Chalice itself bears no inscription, but on its cover, used until recently as a paten, there is the date 1585. The Alms Dish, intended originally for a large paten, has the following inscription on its underside:
Holy Cross Westgate Canty: Given by
the Revd: Mr. Saml: Fremoult. 1775
The Flagon has on the bowl:
TO THE
GLORY OF GOD
AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF
JOSEPH HARRIS COWPER,
BORN AT DAVINGTON, 1867,
DIED AT CLYRO, AUGUST, 1880.
And on the foot:
GIVEN TO HOLY CROSS CHURCH, CANTERBURY,
BY THE FATHER AND MOTHER OF THE CHILD, 1883.
QUI ALIENAVERIT ANATHEMA SIT.
The Paten bears the following inscription on the under side of the rim:
HOLY CROSS CHURCH, CANTERBURY.
Philip Wood Loosemore, M.A., Vicar
John Callow
J.M. Cowper
Churchwardens
-1887-
The "Benefaction Boards" bear the following names:
1. Thomas Maneringe: Will dated Sept. 12, 1592.
2. Abraham Colfe*: Will proved Jan. 25, 1657.
*He was grandson of Amandus Colph, and was Vicar of Lewisham. See Memorials, p.p. 7, 12
3. Thomas Rye: See Memorial, p. 15.
4. John Homersham of Kingsdown near Sittingbourne: Will proved June 15, 1836. At the foot of this Board are the names of
I, P, Francis, Vicar
William Davey
John Charles Abbot
Churchwardens of Holy Cross Westgate
5. Stephen Solly: Will proved Aug. 28, 1868. At the foot are the names of
F. Angel Smith Vicar
T.W. Collard
Herbt Collard
Churchwardens
Stephen Solly Executor.
(*my notes - Stephen Solly died August 7, 1868)
6. Mrs. Mary Chafy, Widow, deceased 1833.
Board signed:
The Revd. John Pechey Francis, clerk, Rector of S. Peter & Vicar of Holy Cross Westgate Canterbury.
John Grist and William Welby, Churchwardens of Saint Peter
Deane John Parker and Alfred Sabine, Churchwardens of Holy Cross Westgate
7. Sophia Ursula Chafy and Miss Martha Jemima Chafy. First distribution of the Charity to be made Dec. 21, 1847.
Board signed:
Revd. John Pechey Francis, A. M. Vicar.
William Hammond, William Reeve, Churchwardens of Holy Cross Westgate
The Lectern bears the inscription:
S. M. Collard
This Lectern was brought from the neighbouring Church of St. Dunstan in 1886.*
A List of the Vicars of this Parish from the year 1281 to the present time is affixed to the wall of the Tower.+
*See The Register Booke, &c., of Saint Dunstan's, p.XVI.
+ See Our Parish Books, and What They Tell Us; ii. 111.
A Bond of William Jones, of Holy Cross, Westgate, Canterbury, to Dr. Delapierre, alias, Peters, of Canterbury, witnesses Francis Lovelace, Recorder of the City, and Hugh Bateman, a celebrated Physician, in fine preservation 5s June 14, 1615 (Kentish Books, Mss., Prints and Drawings, On Sale) The Gentleman's Magazine, 1838
Vicars of Holy Cross
Wm. de Calecestre 1281
John Sorges 1347
Wm. Cok or Koe 1354
Rd. de Medborne 1357
John Bedel de Eschale 1375
Robert Raynhull 1387
William Carpo 1416
William Parkere 1421
Simon Moss alias Walsyngham 1421
Patrick Genott ?
John Botle 1458
Nich. Bubbeworth 1460
Thomas Pitticoke 1463
Clement Hardying ?
Thomas Wellys Bishop of Sidon 1507
Dunstan Northgate 1527
William Brabarn 1528 (Wilhelmus Braborne)
Nicholaus Freman 1541
Oswaldus Rydley 1544
Christopher Badcoke 1555 (Cristoferus Badcocke)
William Spillman 1560 (Wilhelmus Spyllman)
John Swetinge 1582 (Johannes Sweetinge)
John Bungay 1611 (Johannes Bongey / John Bungie)
James Lambe 1617 (Jacobus Lambartin / Jacobus Lambe)
James Ardern 1662
Simon Louth 1666
Christopher Hargreaves 1679
Charles Kilburne 1679
Thomas Buttonshaw 1737
William Miles 1741
R. Gunsley Ayerst 1746
John Gostling 1786
John P. Francis 1804
F. Angel Smith 1855
Philip Wood Loosemore 1882
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1806 John P. Francis, M.A. Vicar of Holy Cross, Canterbury
1811 - Rev. J. P. Francis, M.A. Vicar of Holy Cross, Canterbury
1812 - Rev. John Pechey Francis, Petn. to take down St. Peter's Rectory house
November 30, 1815, christening of a Susanna Sophia Francis to John Pechey Francis and Mary
April 19, 1817, christening of a Eliza Francis to John Pechey Francis and Mary
January 12, 1823, was a christening of a Emma Francis to John Pechey Francis and Mary
January 15, 1825, was a christening of a Julia Francis to John Pechey Francis and Mary
1833 - Rev. John Pechey Francis, party to sale of glebe for enlarging burial ground of St. Peter's Canterbury
*was a marriage of a John Francis to a Mary Broughton on July 28, 1834, in Wakerley, Northampton (IGI) ??
was a death of a Mary Francis in Canterbury Jan to Mar qtr 1840 (v 47)
1841 - St. Peter's Lane, John Francis, Clergyman
1847 - Rev. John Pechey Francis
1851 - living on St. Peter's Lane, John P. Francis, widower, age 70 with two servants, born Wheatley, Cambridgeshire
"Died March 28th, at Canterbury, in his 76th year, the Rev. John Pechey Francis, Rector of St. Peter with Holy Cross, in that city (1804), and of Newenden (1812). He was of Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, B.A. 1801, M.A. 1804. He was brother in law to the late Dr. Broughton, Bishop of Sydney, Australia. Having suffered for some time from despondency, he shot himself in his study; a coroner's jury returned their verdict "mental insanity." The Gentlemen's Magazine 1855
*Will of Reverend John Pechey Francis, Clerk, Vicar of the Holy Cross Westgate and Rector of Saint Peter in the City of Canterbury, Kent. May 9, 1855 Prob 11/2212
1858 - Rev. F. Angel Smith
1875 - Miss Marian Harrison, Holy Cross Church, Canterbury *from a list of subscribers to "Organ Pieces composed by Charles Joseph Frost"
1882 - Rev. Francis Angel Angel-Smith M.A., L.L.D. (surrogate), Hours of Service, 10:30 am. 7 pm.; Fri 8:15
1889 - Rev. Phillip Wood Loosemore, M.A. (was living at the Vicarage in East Peckham, in Tunbridge, Kent in 1901)
1903 - Rev. Thomas Gibson Hill M.A., Hours of Service 10:30 am. 6 pm. (in 1901 he was guest of Incefer Ann Bennett of 2 London Road in Westgate, Canterbury)
1913 - held since 1910 by the Rev. Charles Herbert Malden M.S. of Trinity College, Cambridge
1917 - Rev. C. d'E. Image (St. Peter's Rectory) 31 St. Dunstans Street; Churchwardens: Messrs. H. T. Waterfield and G. Saunders