Last Updated On: 05/02/2012
St Peter And St Pauls Church
Minnis Lane
River
Dover
01304-821831
In Medieval Times
Before the Norman's came to England in 1066 there was a tiny settlement along the banks of the river which flowed down to the sea and it is likely that a small Christian Church formed part of this settlement. The track running through this followed a similar line to that of Lower Road today and would have linked the villages of Ewell and Buckland. The earliest suggestion of a Church that existed in River is found in the records made shortly after the Norman Conquest, in 1070, which refers to two Churches at Ewell. The first precise evidence comes in a manuscript dated 26th March, 1208. In this King John granted the care of the Church of St Peterie Apostoli de Ryveris to the monks of St. Radigund's Abbey at Bradsole, on the hills about a mile and a half to the south-east of River. It was to continue in their care for a further 300 years, until the Reformation. The present Church is probably the third or even fourth built on the site. The earliest Church would have been very small and dark, looking more like a barn. There would have been many murals depicting scenes from the Bible or the lives of the Saints, and possibly even some tapestries; there would have been no pews or seating, only some rushes scattered on the floor. Even some 180 years later, in 1384, during the reign of Richard II, the benefice was too small to meet Customary Tax. But by this time, it is likely the Church was larger than the original building and some insight can be gained from the wills of parishioners who died during the 15th century. Certainly a rood screen separated the congregation from the Sanctuary and above was a carved figure of Christ on the cross with figures of St. Peter and the Virgin Mary on either side. Gifts recorded include from William Munde in 1474, "The Rood Screen-Light of Holy Cross," "The Image Of our Lady-Light of our Lady," "To the Light of Mary called Hokdaylight," and from William Granger in 1486, "The image of St. Peter - Light of St Peter."
Hoketide was a popular festival celebrated on the second Monday or Tuesday after Easter Day when money was collected by humorous methods for the parish.