Church of St Francis de Sales

Church of St Francis de Sales in Hartley, near Sevenoaks in Kent, is a Catholic church set inside an old thatched timber barn. It is a small, unusual place of worship in the Kent countryside, and it is also the home of a long-standing Marian shrine.

What is the building?

The church occupies a barn that once belonged to Middle Farm. It is an aisled timber structure of three bays under a thatched roof, dated to the 17th century. It is listed Grade II, and together with the tithe barn it is one of the only surviving parts of the former farm. A later extension was added in 1985. The rustic outline, with its deep thatch, makes it look more like a farm building than a church, which is a large part of its charm.

How did a barn become a church?

In 1913 the barn was bought by Miss Beatrice Davies-Cooke, who converted it into a chapel for a rural Catholic mission. The first Mass was celebrated on 17 April 1913, and the Bishop of Southwark blessed the building that September. Priests were in short supply in the area, so she arranged for clergy from different parts of the diocese, many of them from religious orders, to come and serve the chapel.

What is the Shrine of Our Lady of Hartley?

During the First World War, refugees were accommodated in farm buildings close to the chapel. This drew the attention of Pope Benedict XV, who gave the place the title "Our Lady of Hartley" and attached a plenary indulgence for visitors who prayed for peace in Europe. A Belgian statue of the Virgin Mary became the focal point of the shrine. Pilgrims still come here, and the parish marked 100 years of the title in 2021.

Why visit?

• It is one of only two thatched Catholic churches in England, according to the parish.
• It combines rural architecture with a story linked to the First World War.
• It is a quiet stop for anyone exploring the villages around Sevenoaks.

Practical information

The church stands on Church Road in Hartley (postcode DA3 8DW) and is an active parish, so services take place regularly. Please be respectful during worship. Maintaining a thatched roof is expensive, and the parish welcomes donations.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Church of St Francis de Sales really in a barn? Yes. The building is a converted barn dated to the 17th century, adapted as a chapel in 1913.

Is it a listed building? Yes, it has Grade II listed status.

Why is it called Our Lady of Hartley? Pope Benedict XV used this title for the shrine during the First World War, linking the place with prayers for peace in Europe.

Is it still in use? Yes, it is a working Catholic parish church with regular services.

Where exactly is it? In Hartley, a village near Sevenoaks, Kent, on Church Road.

Can I donate to its upkeep? Yes, the parish accepts donations towards looking after the historic thatched building.