St Katherine’s Chapel
We are now in another of the 4 Chapels that were originally in the church – situated at the eastern end of the south aisle. Over the centuries this Chapel has been called Vinter’s Chapel and Gould’s Chapel. It is now known as St Katherine’s Chapel and is used for mid-week services and private devotion.
There are many fine memorials in the Church, often with Army connections. One particularly interesting memorial recalls the days when Maidstone was the headquarters of a Cavalry Regiment. The memorial is known as the Shadwell Memorial and the tale is told on a plain black tablet on the wall to the left of the Altar in this Chapel.
“In memory of
PETER SHADWELL
Lieut. Col of the 23rd Regt. Of Light Dragoons, and Commandant of the Cavalry Depot;
who was shot to the heart by a deserter in the Public Street of Wrotham at 8 o’clock in the morning, on the 1st day of June 1799, in the 47th year of his age.
By this atrocious deed the Country was deprived of a valuable Officer, and the Soldier of a sincere friend; who from his extraordinary Military talents rose from a private to the rank he held when he was murdered.”
The Shadwell Memorial
A large gravestone with Peter Shadwell’s name at the top lies on the floor of the Chancel right next to the tomb of Archbishop Courtenay. It is interesting to note that near The Bull Inn at Wrotham is an inscription which reads:
"Near this place fell Lieu Colonel Shadwell who was shot to the heart by a Deserter on the morning of the first day of June 1799. The Assasin (sic) with another Deserter his companion were immediately (sic) secured and brought to justice".
Two men were brought to trial and one, Philip Keating, was found guilty of the murder of Peter Shadwell and executed on 20th July 1799.
As we now walk up the South aisle back towards the Tower door exit we pass on the side walls memorials to the Monkton Family and also those to the Armed Forces.
Ambulance memorial
We also pass a number of fine stained glass windows:
The Centurion’s Window
Made by Wailes in 1861 and commemorates Major General Frederick Griffiths who commanded the Barracks in Maidstone and who died in 1859.
The Centurion’s Window
The Good Samaritan Window
This was also made in 1861 by Wailes and illustrates the parable of the Good Samaritan. It commemorates two generations of the Cutbush family, prominent citizens of Maidstone. Thomas, who gave the window, founded almshouses in Church Street.
The Good Samaritan Window
The Good Shepherd Window
Also by Wailes in 1861, this window depicts Jesus as the Good Shepherd and commemorates Thomas and Ann Edmett, who were again prominent citizens of Maidstone. It was given by their son Thomas who established a charity that still helps those in need.
The Good Shepherd Window
The Burial and Resurrection Window
The final smaller window to the left of the Tower door was made in 1856 and apart from the Royal Arms is the oldest stained glass window in All Saints. The window commemorates the early death of a sister of an assistant curate at All Saints and represents the Burial and the subsequent Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Burial and Resurrection Window
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