Throwley
The Church of St Michael & All Angels is the parish church of Throwley. The first church on the site was probably built between 800 and 825. This would have been a small wooden structure, barely distinguishable from a farm building.
After the Norman Conquest in 1066 this was replaced by a Romanesque stone structure. This was still small, but as the population of the parish increased, the church was enlarged, till in about 1510 it reached its present size. Since then, its appearance has changed little, although an extra storey was added to the tower - now far seen - in the 1860s.
The church has an elaborate Romanesque west entrance, its east window in the Chancel, by Curtis, Ward & Hughes, of Soho, London, is a memorial to Throwley men who gave their lives in the First World War. In the Harris chapel is the Church's newest stained-glass window, commemorating Dorothy Lady Harris, who died in 1981. It was designed and executed in the Canterbury Cathedral Workshops by Frederick Cole.
Parishioners worship together at Throwley
On Sunday, 25th November 2007 Mass was celebrated at the invitation of the parochial Church Council, St Michael and All Angels, Throwley. The Catholic community were delighted to be able to worship in this beautiful medieval Church. Around 100 Catholics and Anglicans gathered on a late autumn afternoon for a liturgy on the Feast of Christ the King.
Fr Wilfrid McGreal (Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Faversham) presided at what was a memorable occasion. The time of prayer together was a reminder of how baptism unites us but made us aware that we must renew our efforts to fulfil Christ's prayer that we might all be one.
The local Church council laid on refreshments and this enabled the congregation to get to know one another. All present felt that the time of worship and fellowship had been blessed by the Holy Spirit and looked forward to future opportunities to pray and work together.