User:The C of E/BOX

History
The church is constructed adjacent to a ruined Roman villa. There was evidence of St Aldhelm working in the area and there was a Saxon church in the area with a Norman church replacing it. There it was given the parish name of Ditchridge. Following the Norman Conquest of England, King William I of England gave the land and church to William De Ow. It was rebuilt in 1158 using stone from Hazelbury quarry. It was originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary but following the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, a small chapel dedicated to him was constructed nearby in 1190. As Box was on the route to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral for pilgrims, by the end of the 13th century, it was rededicated to Thomas Becket. The chapel was renamed Hazelbury Chapel.

In the 15th century, the tower was heightened with a bell installed and restoration took place in 1713. In 1831, due to the church being too small to meet demand the Victorians expanded the church. In 1896 Harold Brakspear carried out a renovation of the church. The high pews were removed and lowered along with the floor. The plaster on the wall was removed to reveal hidden memorials and 14th century encaustic tiles in the chancel which were also restored. The restoration cost £3,500 (£0 in 2019). In 1960, English Heritage granted the Church of St Thomas a Becket grade I listed status.