The earliest record for St. Mary's is 1205 although it was in existance at least by the 11th century. St. Mary's was a rich benefice and was the main church in Maidstone. St. Faiths was suborinate to it and the chapels of Detling and Loose were annexed to it. Little is known about the church other than it's rectors. The first mentioned in William de Cornhill in 1205 and the last Guy de Mone in 1395. Shortly after de Mone's appointment Archbishop Courtenay obtained a licence from Richard II to establish a college of secular canons at Maidstone and to convert St. Mary's into a collegiate church. Instead St. Mary's was demolished and All Saints Church erected on the same spot or there about's. (1)

During excavtion work between 1991 - 92 two decorated medieval floor tiles were found during trenching. These are believed to have come from St. Mary's after it was demolished.(2)

<1> Russell, J. M., 1881 & 1978, The History of Maidstone, pages 70 -75 (Monograph). SKE8081.

<2> Maidstone Area Archaeological Group, 1992, Excavations at The Old Palace - Maidstone Part II 1991 - 1992 Interim Report No. 2 (Unpublished document). SKE11919.