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Brief History
The church occupies what may be the oldest church site in Sandwich, where a 7th century convent was founded of which nothing now survives. Early documents belonging to the church date from 1311. These and the church registers dating from 1474 are kept in the Kent Archives. There remain substantial parts of a large Norman church, despite the town having been sacked by the French in the 13th and 15th centuries, an earthquake in the 16th and the collapse of the tower in the 17th. The north arcade was then replaced with massive chestnut columns and the immense barn-like breadth of the nave and south aisle was roofed in one span. There are some interesting fittings from several periods, including the ruins of an altar in the Jesus Chapel and one of the four floreated crosses in Kent, dating from about 1333.
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The tower over the south porch has a wooden belfry built in 1718.
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A medieval church, renowned for its sense of space, St. Mary's has a fine 17th century roof and 18th century altar piece. 
