Stone in Oxney Kent - (Roman stone altar)

11 miles south east of Tenterden, off the B2082, Stone in Oxney stands in an imposing position on the eastern side of the Isle of Oxney. The stone that gives the village its name is preserved in the village church, and is Roman in origin.

The church of St Mary is 15th century, an elegant building which stands on rising ground. It features a 14 ft square tower, which stands 62 ft high. Magnificent views over the surrounding countryside may be seen from the top of the tower.

The oldest part of the church is the South Chapel, here may be found the sealed up entrance to the staircase which used to lead to the rood loft.

The font stands at the western end of the nave, octagonal in shape, with no ornamentation, it is a picture of elegant simplicity.

For many years the north chapel was used as the parish school. The south chapel houses the organ a two manual instrument in an oak case.

this organ was formerly used by the parish church of Brede , and was aquired for Stone in 1908.

The most interesting posession of the church is the aforementioned Roman Stone. Standing under the tower, near the west door, it serves as an altar. It is 2ft long by 1ft 10ins, and stands 3ft 4ins high.

The top is hollowed out as a basin, and the figure of a bull stands in relief on all four sides. Geological experts say it is made of Kentish ragstone, quarried aat Hythe. The altar may have originally come from Stutfall Castle, the Roman fort at Lympne, near Hythe.

To the south west of the church stands a picturesque 15th century building called 'Tilmanden'. For many generations this served as the vicarage, and was probably built for this purpose. However a new vicarage of red brick was erected on the other side of the road, this date is not recorded. This building burned down several years before the Reverend H.P.Eldridge became the incumbent in 1862, and the present vicarage was built soon after.