Family:James Kennett and Jane Johncock (1)

Christianity came to Thanet with the landing of St. Augustine at Ebbsfleet in 597AD. In Norman times three growing communities established churches dedicated to St. Laurence, St. John and St. Peter. Over time these communities grew to become Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs.

It is recorded that there has been a church here since 1128, and that it was enlarged in 1180-1185. The tower and south porch date from the fifteenth century. The square tower is a prominent feature of the surrounding countryside and was used as a signalling station by the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic wars. St Peter's still claims the privilege of flying the White Ensign in recognition of this connection.

A new Church Hall was built in 1972 and opened by Edward Heath when he was Prime Minister. Mr Heath was born in St Peter's and sang in the choir. The hall was extended in 1995 with the building of the adjacent Portland Centre providing a needed and well-used community centre for the village.

In the nineteenth century a new church, Holy Trinity, was built to serve the central part of Broadstairs and this is now a separate parish. Early in the twentieth century a daughter church, St Andrews, was built in Reading Street. St Andrew's remains in the parish but is independently managed.

1. ↑ Parish Register.
2. ↑ Parish Register
   page 52, #104.

   marriage by banns at parish church, St. Peter, County of Kent, bachelor and spinster, father Thomas Kennett, hers Richard Johncock, witness Edward Kennett and Elizabeth Liddens. James signed his name, Jane placed her mark "X".