St Mary's Church Chilham
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The present building was started in the 13th century but the interior is mainly Victorian due to extensive restoration in 1863. To the right of the altar is an imposing monument by Nicholas Stone (1631) to Lady Margaret Kemp, wife of Sir Dudley Digges with the four carved virtues on each corner. In contrast is the unusual memorial to his sister, Lady Margaret Palmer, which is made of Bethersden ‘marble . It is inscribed - 'She was fayrer than most women, wiser than most men. There is also a charming memorial, by Alexander Munro, for Arthur and Edward Hardy, sons of the big house, who died very young in 1858. They are shown reading Babes in the Wood with their shuttlecock and bat close at hand. Look out for an original 17th century school trestle table used when the church was a school. It is covered in interesting graffiti dating back to 1733!