The Ecclesiastical Parish of St.Martins Chelsfield The current Parish of St.Martin's is less than a third of its original size. The parishes of St.Gile's the Abbot Farnborough, St.Mary's Green Street Green, Christchurch Orpington were all formed from lands originally in the Parish of Chelsfield being in the ancient manor of (Ciresfil) Chelsfield. In the 19th century it stretched from Horns Green Cudham in the South West, Richmore Hill & Birthday Wood Halstead in the South East, Godrington Manor (Avalon Road) in the North and The Green Farnborough in the West. Until 1876 St.Martin's and St.Gile's had the same incumbent. In November 1905 St.Martin's opened the 'Temporary' Mission Church of St.Mary's in World's End Lane at a cost of £300 to serve the growing community in that area. The land was donated by the Norman Family. The new permanent church was consecrated in November 1937. On August 5th 1938 major boundary changes occurred, at that time the Green Belt did not exist and major building developments were planned in the Chelsfield area which were halted by the 1939 - 1945 World War and (currently!!) have never further developed. Although the population in the adjacent parishes has grown since the war, that of Chelsfield has remained low. Up until April 2001 the parish had only approx 1000 inhabitants, with the latest boundary revisions this is now closer to 2000. From 1938 until April 2001 the boundaries were in the shape of a fish, they stretched from Chelsfield Railway Station (Sevenoaks bound platform) in the West, running up the centre of The Highway (with odd numbered houses being in the Parish), crossing Court Road to Lillys Wood, crossing Skibbs Lane to Skeet Hill in the North East. Heading South East to Doctors Wood, The Kent Hounds Public House (now closed), crossing the M25 then South again approximately following the M25 past junction 4 then West along part of Chelsfield Lane past Saunders Cross and Hollows Wood, Goss Bushes crossing the A224 Orpington bypass North of Badgers Mount, running West along London Road to Knockholt Railway Station and heading North West along the Centre of the railway line back to Chelsfield Railway Station. In April 2001 the Parish re-acquired parts of Chelsfield Park, the shops in Windsor Drive & houses even 2-60, odd 1-67, Station approach and Chelsfield Station, Oxenden Wood and Homestead Road, Meadway & Spring Gardens, Warren Drive & Russet Close, Woodside (even numbers) & Roseneath Close. To find out which Parish you live in and to see the map of the Prish boundaries click the link 'whichparish' To return to the St.Martin opening page click 'Back'.