01/04/2020
💡DID YOU KNOW..... St Mary’s the Blessed Virgin Church in Addington is the oldest public building still in use in Croydon. It has long been a part of Croydon’s history – for nearly 1,000 years in fact.
Situated on Addington Village Road, the church was founded in 1080 and is the oldest public building still in use in the borough.
In the early 1800s the building became known as Addington Palace and went on to be the official second home for 6 Archbishops of Canterbury.
When Archbishop Benson died in 1896, his successor Frederick Temple took the decision to seek a residence in Canterbury, ending the Archbishops of Canterbury stay in Croydon.
All 6 Archbishops of Canterbury which resided in the palace are buried at the church or churchyard, except Archbishop Benson, who is buried in Canterbury Cathedral.