The church of St James' in Cooling, Kent lies in a very isolated place not like most churches which are in the centre of the village. This one is surrounded by fields and marshes leading down to the Thames Estuary.
The church was built in the latter half of the 13thcent.
This is the view from the churchyard.
Inside the church it is very light and spacious but there are some quite unusual features once you start to look around.
This is a 500yr old timber door still hung on its original
hinges but it doesn't lead anywhere as the doorway is blocked.
This is the metal latch attached to the door.
At the end of the nave is a doorway leading to a small vestry which was probably added in the 19th cent. The walls of which are covered with thousands of cockle shells which are the emblem of St James.
The church was so eerie and silent and was absolutely freezing inside. Then I suddenly noticed the reflections on the wall and for a moment they looked like ghosts which made me jump.
I love that door which leads nowhere! :o)
ReplyDeleteI suppose the church was built for local farmers. It is a wonder it has survived intact for so long, with perhaps a small congregation.
ReplyDeleteWoooooo---gorgeous church... Those reflections look scary... It's easy to get a 'weird' feeling inside of an old church...
ReplyDeleteWow---that old door... Amazing..
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy
Very nice church that. Nice to know I'm not the only one coming across blocked up door ways. Did you check the other side to see if the outline was still there?
ReplyDeleteYou have such wonderful ancient places all around you! Lucky you, but then lucky me because I get to see them all on your superb blog, complete with great pictures. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, so cool to explore these old churches. Love your third photo of the churchyard.
ReplyDeleteAn ancient door leading to nowhere … how extraordinary and somehow fitting for a church that is cold and out of the mainstream. It looks delightfully mysterious as if right out of a novel!
ReplyDeleteImagine that door still on its original hinges after 500 years ... and a door leading no-where. A wonderful old church.
ReplyDeleteVery nice place, I can imagine you were frigtened by the reflections, they realy look like ghosts, (could be though?)
ReplyDeleteThe sculpture in my post was an imaginary person called "Jacques" by the sculptor.
Neat post.. I see the ghosts LOL
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! I'm crazy for old churches. We just don't have them as old as that in our part of the world.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photography of an historical place !
ReplyDeleteFascinating images and accompanying comments. Those last two reflective shots are pretty. Just love the atmosphere in those old churches!
ReplyDeleteWell a reflection captured at a saint James' church is perfect for a contest organised by James... Well done !
ReplyDeleteI love to see these little old churches with their crooked gravestones around. But the most beautiful and very amazing church inside I have been shown was the Sistine chapel in Goring here ! That is really worthwhile to see !
ReplyDeleteJ adore ce genre d endroit ;o)
ReplyDelete