St Nicholas Church, Poling

Saxon Origins The origins of St Nicholas Church trace back to the Saxon era, with the nave identified as Saxon in construction. Norman & Medieval period In the 12th century, the church came under the ownership of the Norman abbey of Almenêches and later passed to its daughter house at Lyminster in the 13th century. The south aisle was constructed circa 1190–1220, the chancel around 1380, and the west tower approximately in 1420. The church retains a number of historic features including an 18th-century poor box and some fragments of medieval glass. The font is of great antiquity, likely 11th century and possibly pre-Conquest. ==Memorials and Burials==

The churchyard of St Nicholas Church is the final resting place of several notable individuals: • Colin Cowdrey (1932–2000), an English cricketer who played for Kent and the England national team. • Sir Harry Johnston (1858–1927), a British explorer, botanist, artist, and colonial administrator. He is commemorated inside the church by a wall plaque in the nave, carved by the Arts and Crafts sculptor and typeface designer Eric Gill. ==Access==

St Nicholas Church is situated on the southeast edge of Poling village, adjacent to Manor Farm. Access to the church is via a footpath from Poling Street, next to the Old Vicarage. ==Gallery==

File:StNicholasPoling.jpg|Exterior view File:Stained Glass Window St Nicholas, Poling.jpg|Stained Glass Window with fragments of medieval glass File:Poorbox at St Nicholas Church.jpg|Poorbox bearing the date 1797 ==Notes==