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.
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Holy Name Chapel
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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.