I live close to Bexley, in south-east London; it is one of many villages that have been consumed by London's urban sprawl, yet retain some of their historical character and sense of country village life.
Here we see the original parish church of St Mary the Virgin. It has been a place of Christian worship for over eight hundred years and probably succeeded an earlier Saxon church on the same site. This was mentioned in the Domesday Survey (or census) in 1086 as a 'church in Bixle' where it is said that St Paulinus came to preach.
Many thanks for all your recent comments - very much appreciated.
@casablanca Yes, me too. Left out of picture is a real old Lych Gate which I featured here a couple of years ago http://365project.org/peadar/365-2017-18/2017-06-11 @flowerfairyann Ann, that's a good point. The church was on the edge of the old village and would have been surrounded by acres of farmland. Now it's hemmed in by houses, but does manage to retain a sense of quiet presence, I feel.
@flowerfairyann Ann, that's a good point. The church was on the edge of the old village and would have been surrounded by acres of farmland. Now it's hemmed in by houses, but does manage to retain a sense of quiet presence, I feel.