The Twentieth Century

A notable Vicar was installed in 1920, David Railton. He had been an Army Chaplain in France and had an idea that an unknown warrior should be buried in Westminster Abbey. The idea was adopted and his Union Flag which once hung in St. John's now hangs over the Unknown Warrior's grave in the Abbey.

Another person connected with the Church early in the century was Alfred Dellar. The famous counter tenor was born in Margate and began as a chorister at the Church before developing his career as an international singer.

The interior of the Church was enhanced in 1936-38 when a generous benefactor, Mrs. Cheeseman, provided the rood screen, pulpit and reredos.

The rood replaces the one lost at the time of the Reformation and the origin of the name is in Old English, meaning a cross.

The carved reredos at the high altar was installed at the same time and its six statues are of the canonised Archbishops Canterbury: 0n the centre the figure of Our Lord hangs on the cross before a crowd with the Blessed Virgin and Saint John on either sir Beneath the canopies to left and right are six early Archbishops of Canterbury:

St. Augustine				  597 -  604
St. Laurentius				  604 -  619
St. Thomas of Canterbury			1162 - 1170
 St. Alphege				1006 - 1012 
St. Dunstan				  959 -  985
St. Anselm				1089 - 1109

St. Thomas's martyrdom is depicted by a sword through his head.

The carved wooden figures on the pulpit are St. Athanasus, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John the Baptist, St. John Chrysostom and St. Richard of Chichester.

The east end of the south aisle was also restored as a small chapel with its own altar and screen.

Further reordering was carried out during the 1980's and the choir stalls we moved from behind the rood screen to a new position in ti south aisle. A nave altar and a new sanctuary were also provided in front of the screen. The chancel was furnished with chairs and this area continues to be used for worship. After major public anneal, extensive rebuilding work was carried out to the organ.