By Roger Packham
In 1984 there was a very real threat that the dilapidated Old Rectory would be sold by the Church Commissioners for development, but fortunately Messrs. Buxton, formerly at Westway, decided to restore and extend the building as a prestigious head office. This was greatly to the benefit of Caterham. The current rectory for St Mary’s is now a more modest property in Whyteleafe Road.
Hidden behind 18th, 19th and 20th century additions is a single bay of an earlier building possibly dating from the late 17th or early 18th century and there is evidence that the building goes back to the 1500s.
One of the fascinating interior features of the Old Rectory is the mysterious plague door, kindly displayed by Messrs. Buxton to Caterham residents during recent Caterham Festivals. The ancient door is heavily studded and each stud is said to represent a victim of a plague – but it is not known which plague and whether the door has come from elsewhere.
A plaque on the exterior of the Rectory commemorates Jarvis Kenrick (1852-1949), a son of the rector, who scored the very first goal in football’s FA Cup and who was also a Surrey cricketer.
It is thought that the magnificent cedar tree was planted c.1770, and is now a focal point of the town. At Christmas it looks extremely festive, illuminated with a multitude of lights.