The Clocktower of St George the Martyr, St George's Street.
Church destroyed by enemy action in 1942, and subsequently demolished.

St George the Martyr is possibly pre-Conquest in origin. The south aisle, closest to St George's Street, was the oldest Norman part, with the central aisle dating to the Medieval period.

In 1564, Canterbury's most famous son, the playwright Christopher Marlowe, was baptised in the ornate octagonal font. The Marlowe family lived almost opposite the church, reputedly at what became 57 St George's Street, on the junction with St George's Lane, but their house was a victim of the Blitz in June 1942. Although Marlowe's parents, John and Catherine, moved parishes more than once, dodging outstanding debts for rents, both were buried in St George's churchyard.

St George's was much altered in the 1870s, with a new chancel and north aisle, using pillars and arches from the dismantled St Mary Magdalene church, both parishes being amalgamated.

On the night of the 31st May/1st June 1942, Canterbury was subjected to a devastating bombing raid, in retaliation for the bombing of Cologne the night before. The roof and interior of St George's was destroyed, though the fabric of the walls survived. The top of the church tower was removed in 1942, before demolition was halted. The shell of the church remained for ten more years, before all but the tower were finally removed, the top of the tower being rebuilt.

St George's Church, early June 1942
(This Picture is taken before the 14th of June, when demolition of the top of the tower had commenced)

(Note: Many registers unfit for production)