Past
The Munn Chapel
It is believed that the south transept or chantry was opened out from the nave in the 14th Century and contained an altar dedicated to St Margaret. However the rebuilding of the transept in the middle of the 19th Century destroyed the 14th Century features. The following extracts are from the Vestry Book kept at that time:
28 June 1848. At a Parish Meeting held this day it was proposed by Mr L Cobb, Churchwarden, to take down the arch on the south side of the church and to insert two new ones, being an expense under £52, which was agreed to on the understanding that the parish rate of 4d in the pound should not be exceeded by this extra expense.
1852 June 30. At a Vestry held this day in the Church at Sheldwich, for the purpose of taking into consideration the improvement of the South chancel of the said Church..........The following alterations were proposed to be made; W A Munn Esq. offers to build two new stone Arches with flint and plastering thereto, also the alteration of pews and removal of Pulpit and reading Desk, and erection of twelve Seats for Children with the stone Paving, and also to remove the Front and Stone (or is it Font and Stove?!) and to put in a plain Rose Window at the west side of the Chancel including all materials and labour. It is proposed for Lord Sondes to repair and point the external flint work of the Chancel with new stones and quions to the three Buttresses at a cost of seventeen Pounds, eight Shillings. The other work proposed to be done , is to carry the present walls five feet higher, including cost of refixing the present roof, retiling and Plastering the ....?.... and also plastering the inner Walls exclusive of Flints but including all labour and other materials at a cost of £37 10s. Taking up, recasting and relaying lead gutter with iron spouting and down pipes £5 15s. Putting in two new south Windows as shown in the plan £30 10s. Do. East Window £16 10s. It is proposed that this sum be provided by the Parish, and the Flints and carriage by those who keep Teams in proportion to their rate. If a new Oak roof is necessary, it is proposed to be of Hemel Oak, at a cost of £24 for additional materials and six Pounds for additional labour; it is proposed for Lord Sondes to contribute £24 for Timber, and the labour £6 to be paid out of the Church rate.
To summarise: about 150 years ago the south chancel (described in one place as a lean-to with a low roof) was totally changed - higher roof/walls, new windows, opening to the nave by two arches not one, the floor area cleared and pews put in for children. The work was forwarded by Major William Augustus Munn of Throwley House (opposite to the Church). Monuments commemorate his father Col. Henry Munn and grandfather William Munn of Blackheath, and Catherine his wife; his uncles Matthew William and Captain Thomas Callis Munn, R N. In the aisle a stone commemorates Major Munn’s children. The painted glass in three windows is by T Willement of Davington. In the South East a memorial of Mary Elizabeth Munn. We see Christ raising the widow’s son at Naim; Christ raising Jairus’ daughter. In the South Western window Christ raising Lazarus; the Resurrection of Christ - this window a memorial of Alice Harvey Munn. In the third rose-shaped window are the arms of the Munn family. The floor of course also contains a 15th Century monumental brass with the effigies of a knight in armour (John Cely) and his wife Isabel.
