Holy Name Chapel

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Formerly known as The Corpus Christi Chapel (pre 1597).

The Corpus Christie Fraternity - a religious guild formed in the middle ages for regular observance of certain religious services, and for the relief of their members in sickness and old age.

These associations amassed great wealth and usually exercised an important influence over the affairs of the towns in which they were situated.

One such guild (The Corpus Christi Fraternity) was established in Earl Street in Maidstone in 1422. They appear to have followed the rule of St. Benedict.

In the time of Henry VI (1422 - 1471) it was established as a perpetual guild and that one priest should celebrate and pray within the Church of Maidstone.

At the dissolution (1547) the Priests of the College of All saints were pensioned off. The College property was seized and vested in the Crown and the Fraternity of Corpus Christi was suppressed. The Hall in Earl Street was made redundant.

 

Holy Name Chapel

Money from the sale of church/college silver, plate, vestments etc. raised £200 which was given to the town. Corpus Christi Hall was sold to the town for £200 and became the first Boys Grammar School in the town in 1549. The church has maintained its link with the school to this day.

The Altar in the former Corpus Christi Chapel was removed from the church at the dissolution. The Chapel was then called The Holy Name Chapel.

The Holy Name Chapel contains the following interesting features:-

a. The original Medieval Screen at the Altar (East end) later copied by the Victorians to surround the chancel.

b. The one different window style in the church (decorated period 1300 - 1400) to the West end of the chapel. The window has a different configuration, shape and size - possibly a salvaged window - inserted into the fabric of All Saints at its building in 1395.

c The window to Canon Joy (Vicar of Maidstone 1897 - 1903) who saw the 20 years restoration of All Saints - at that time largely completed.

Now the Holy Name Chapel houses the Books of Remembrance for members of the Royal West Kent Regiment, who fell in the World War. Also some of the Regiments colours placed there when they were removed from the Nave and Aisles of the church in the 1960s.

This chapel is sometimes referred to as the Regimental Chapel.