TWO ANCIENT CHURCHES LOST TO THE BLACK DEATH REOPEN AFTER 650 YEARS

Kent, England – Two historic churches in Kent that have been closed for more than 650 years due to the effects of the Black Death have now reopened to the public in a highly anticipated celebratory event. Dode Church and St. Benedict’s Church in Paddlesworth, located just 1.5 miles apart, welcomed visitors on Sunday in a historic moment marking the simultaneous reopening of these ancient sites.

These churches, built in the early 12th century, were once thriving centers of Christian worship and community life until the Black Death swept through England in 1349. The plague decimated the population in Dode, leaving only the church standing. The local parish priest was then moved to Paddlesworth, and Dode Church remained untouched for centuries.

Douglas Chapman, the current keeper and owner of Dode Church, purchased the site about 35 years ago. Since then, he has dedicated time and resources to restoring the ancient building. The restoration work includes the repair of Norman stonework, foundations, and the roof, which have now become points of interest for historians and enthusiasts of medieval church architecture in the UK.

Chapman described the restoration process as a “labor of love” and acknowledged that the effort was no small task. “The church had been locked up for more than 600 years,” he told Metro. Although parts of the roof were repaired in the early 1900s, the building was in severe disrepair when Chapman first acquired it, with the structure having been partly desecrated and even used as a rural drug den.

“It was in a dire state when I first got it, and some areas had been vandalized. It took years to clear out the site, restore its original features, and install basic utilities like electricity and water,” Chapman added.

Visitors who attended the reopening event were invited to walk the scenic trail connecting the two churches, offering a glimpse into the rich heritage of the North Downs. Chapman noted that both churches were once frequently visited and that people often walked between them.

The two churches share many similarities. Apart from their close proximity, they were built around the same time, around 1100, during the later years of William the Conqueror’s reign. Despite the belief that there may be a mass grave near Dode Church, Chapman has refused to allow any archaeological excavations to respect the sanctity of the site.

In addition to enjoying a photo exhibition, old maps, and historical documents, visitors can also see a document dating back to 1367 when the parishes of Dode and Paddlesworth were officially combined.

Interestingly, Chapman also shared a local legend connecting Gandalf, a character from *The Lord of the Rings* by J.R.R. Tolkien, with Gundulf, a medieval bishop who built Dode Church. “Tolkien, as a professor of medieval history, would have known about Gundulf. There’s a theory that Gundulf became Gandalf... Unfortunately, we can’t ask Tolkien to confirm this,” he said.

 Following the reopening, Dode Church will be available for events such as weddings and naming ceremonies and will open to the public every six weeks. Visitors can also request a visit to St. Benedict’s Church at any time.

Chapman hopes that the reopening of these two ancient churches will inspire the public to appreciate the rich history and the restoration efforts made. “We hope visitors will enjoy their visit and understand the value of preserving this historical legacy,” he concluded.