Established in 2002
The Friends was established to raise funds to assist in the restoration, preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement and beautification of the Parish Church in East Brabourne. This includes the monuments, fittings, fixtures, stained glass, furniture, ornaments and chattels in the Church and the maintenance of the churchyard belonging to the Church.
In many countries for example Germany, France and Scotland, church upkeep is State-aided. However in England there is no funding from outside the parish. This means the relatively small numbers of Brabourne parishioners not only have to contribute to the stipends and pensions of the bishops and clergy, but also maintaining the church. The Friends exists so that local people and visitors can help towards the inevitable costs if the church is to be kept at the standard required for ancient listed buildings.
The Friends is registered with the Charity Commission No. 1095462
The Church
Our beautiful 12th Century church was constructed on the site of a Saxon building and certainly completed by 1144 AD. It is now Grade 1 Listed, has unique medieval features and has to be maintained to meet the Statutory requirements. For latest services and information click here. For address and directions click here.
Local Families
The church, a Grade 1 listed building, has connections with almost every phase of English history. It is a gem in the crown of our heritage and has been associated for hundreds of years with some of our oldest local families, such as the Scott family since the 1290s, the Knatchbull/Brabourne family since the 1480s and the Varrier family since 1640s.