The Discovery of a 14th Century St Christopher in Edenbridge
The discovery and subsequent uncovering, cleaning and conservation of 14th century wall paintings at the church of St Peter & St Paul, Edenbridge, was carried out by a team of conservators led by Tom Organ ACR
The PCC of St Peter & St Paul, Edenbridge have recently completed the redecoration of the interior of the church as part of a major re-ordering originally planned for the interior as part of the 900 year celebrations in 2020. A survey of the church was carried out by Arte Conservation ahead of this major intervention.
The inspection identified the presence of at least four episodes of redecoration to the outer walls of the church using impermeable paints, emulsion and an oil/alkyd layer, applied over the earlier limewashes and distempers. The assessment concluded that redecorating over the existing finishes would be problematic in the long-term and that the church should consider the safe removal of these layers so that a traditional ‘breathable’ limewash or distemper might be reinstated. During work to remove the impermeable layers carried out in August and September 2020 previously overpainted 14th century floral wall paintings again came to light and continued to do so as redecoration work being carried out by Gransden Construction Ltd. progressed. Most significant was the discovery and identification of a figure of St Christopher on the south wall above and to the right of the south door and a small figure on the north wall of the nave adjacent to the westernmost window.
Much of the earliest fabric is of 13th century date but the church was greatly extended and rebuilt in the 14th century when the chancel was rebuilt, the south arcade rebuilt and heightened and the aisle widened. Elements to the composition such as the architectural canopy, masonry patterns and the position of the infant Christ held in the left arm as opposed to sitting on saint’s shoulder point to a 14th century date.
