A short History of St John's Church, Barham, Kent
The church is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, a manuscript record of the "Great Survey" of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 at the behest of King William I (the Conqueror).
History suggests that there was a church in Barham as far back as 809 AD, and evidence of the original Saxon floor has been discovered under the tower.
The earliest part of the present building, however, starts in the 12th century with the base of the Tower, and further construction and additions continued over the following three hundred years. The church is cruciform in shape, although the addition of the 15th century south aisle has 'unbalanced' the symmetry. In the 1880's the Nave floor was lowered, the Choir and Chancel was raised, and the entrance porch added.
The date of completion of the magnificent green copper spire that towers over the village does not seem to have been recorded although the earliest of the existing 5 bells dates back to 1633.
The building is listed grade 1
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