St. Paulinus Church, Bexley

St.Paulinus Church is a Grade II* listed church. Located in Crayford, Bexley, London. One of the six ancient churches lying within the London Borough of Bexley.

History
The church was located on the road between London and the mainland, which accounted for the large number of visitors.

The earliest part of the church dates from about the year 1100 A.D. Was presumably built by the Normans. This is indicated by the found material of construction - dark gray blocks of tufa.

In about 1190, an aisle was added to the south of the nave and a south chapel was joined to the chancel. The windows were also replaced with larger ones.

Some time within the first half of the 14th century, the south chapel and aisle were pulled down, the north chancel was pulled down and rebuilt.

In the 15th and early 16th century the vestry and the porch were added, bell tower was erected. The south, or Howbury, chapel was built and between the vestry and the north nave, of the northern chapel.

In 1558, the church began keeping a church register. A disastrous fire happened in 1628, which consumed the roof and all the ancient monuments. After several years of repairs, the church was up and running again.

In 1700 Sir Cloudesley Shovel, Admiral and Commander in Chief of the Fleet of Great Britain paid for the repairs and also presented a new reredos.

In 1862 a general restoration was again carried out and the Howbury chapel was extended for use as an organ chamber.

The church was significantly damaged during the Second World War.

In the 1960s, vestries for the clergy and choir were built. In 1976 a new organ purchased from St.Mary’s German Lutheran Church in King’s Cross and erected.