Copyright Kent Past 2010
Kent Past
The History of Kent
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History of Temple Ewell
Temple Ewell comes from the Anglian word ‘æwell’ meaning a ‘river source’, with the
Middle English prefix ‘temple’ as a ‘temple; usually in allusion to properties of
the Knights Templar’ -
Temple Ewell parish church is a Grade: II listed building, dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The Templars built the church in the 12th century with additions in the following 100 years. Following the Templars suppression in 1312, the Knights Hospitaller took over the manor and made improvements to the church. In 1603, Joseph Hatch cast and hung, one of his first bells, in the Temple Ewell church, and completed a ring of three in 1610. Despite the sale of two bells, the first Hatch bell remains. In 1800, Edward Hasted, in his topographical survey described the church as ‘an antient building, consisting of only one isle and a chancel, having a low square tower at the west end.’ The architect Talbot Bury carried out extensive restoration in 1870.