Horton was an important settlement in Saxon times. King William gave the Manor of Horton to his half-brother, Odo of Bayeux, and the Domesday Book records the parish of Horton as having a church in 1086. Horton means a muddy farm or settlement by a river or marsh. In the 13th century, Lady Horton married Roger de Kirkby (Kirby) whose family name was then added to the parish name. No description of the church of 1086 remains. The present building dates from 1225. It was cruciform with a spacious chancel, north and south transepts, a nave with north and south aisles separated by arcades and a central tower. This building suffered two periods of major mutilation. The first was rebuilding of the nave in about the late 1300s/early 1400s, obviously in hurry, without arcades and out of alignment with the rest of the edifice. A possible reason for this is damage by the Great Kentish Earthquake of 1382, which created havoc throughout the county. The second period saw the rebuilding of the tower (which then had a spire) with modern brickwork in 1816, and the chancel being halved in length in 1821. A point of interest is that it was believed that the masons who built the church in 1225 were also involved in repairs to the choir of Rochester Cathedral. A mason’s mark common to both buildings has been found. Before you enter, two ancient sundials can be seen to the right of the porch. Once you are inside, your eyes will automatically be drawn to the roof, an excellent example of tie beam, crown post and collar construction in oak. The blocked door in the north wall opposite, is medieval and would have been in constant use for processions, baptisms and funerals. Sometimes known as the ’Devil’s Door’, it would be left open at baptismal services so that the evil spirits in the child could leave the church. 

The Royal Arms of the House of Hanover over the south door are thought to be of local workmanship dated between 1714 - 1801, possibly painted during a war of the 18th century. 

The church has two brasses. That of Alice Drayton née Kirby, dates from 1461. The other, dating from 1595, is of John Browne and his wife. The chancel contains tablets in memory of the Bathurst family. Franks Hall, a mansion in the parish was purchased by Lancelot Bathurst early in the reign of Elizabeth I. Lancelot, an Alderman of the City of London, demolished the original mansion and built the existing house on the opposite side of the River Darent. The memorial to Susanna Bathurst is well worth reading. A roundel of glass in the middle lancet of the north windows commemorates a member of the Rashleigh family, the most famous in the parish. From 1818 to 1927, father, son and grandson held the living and left their influence on Horton Kirby, particularly by founding the local school. 

In the late 19th century the church was genuinely `improved', even by Victorian standards, by Ewen Christian, architect. Windows were unblocked and an organ purchased which is still in use today. The three stained glass windows in the chancel date from 1863. Comfort was also a consideration. Visitors will notice, just beneath the front of the pew base in the Lady Chapel, an example of ’Mitchell’s Patent Reverberating Smoke Consuming Hypocaust for Warming Churches'. The Lady Chapel pews (1926) and the choir stalls (1933) were both made at the ’Farningham Home for Little Boys'. The church bells were restored to a peel of six by the year 2000 and subsequently a lavatory and a refreshment-making facility were constructed in the south transept beneath the organ loft.

In the 14th century the exterior of the church was rebuilt. A typically Kentish tower with circular stair turret was added, using many ancient stones and Roman tiles. The steeple contains four bells, including one doling bell and two sacring bells. As you enter the church, the most striking feature is in the south-west corner, the imposing memorial to Sir Thomas Smythe, who died in 1625. He had retired to Sutton Place after public life under Elizabeth I and James I. He was Commissioner of the Navy, Sheriff of London and one-time ambassador on a special mission to the Czar of Russia. The fascinating inscription tells much of his life’s history. The Smythe family remained in Sutton for many generations. Henry Smythe, great grandson of Sir Thomas, was buried in the church in 1706, and a fine slab with his coat of arms and inscription can still be seen in the floor. Crossing to the north wall of the nave, you can see a tablet in memory of Mrs Margaret Baldwin, whose inscription is a commendation from her employer. When she unfortunately ’came down in the world as a result, of a relative’s misdoings, it appears that Mrs Baldwin accepted her new status with resignation. 

In 1615, fire which destroyed much of the church. It lost all its medieval contents. A great deal of restoration was needed and this took two years to complete. However, this leaves us with the pulpit, the nave altar, the children’s altar, the minister’s desk and the tower screen, all very fine examples of Jacobean work, continental grisaille (’grey window’) panels. In the south aisle is another wall tablet, commemorating Abraham Hill, Devonshire benefactor to the poor in the parish and owner of St John’s Jerusalem in the 17th century. He spent much time in scientific pursuits and experimenting with trees, particularly apples and pears for making cider and Perry. Next to it is a tablet to Frances Hill, whose tomb is in the north aisle. The inscription on the tomb is well worth reading. Further restoration took place in 1862.The chancel was freed of the towering reredoses which blocked the windows and once more light flooded in. The altar was raised and all the high pews removed. John Hallett Hotham, vicar from 1836 - 1880, is remembered with a memorial. He was responsible for the considerable Victorian restoration, and the building of local schools. The churchwardens’ accounts from 1747 have survived. Considerable history is embedded in these books, giving us an insight today into the lives of those who have lived in Sutton-at-Hone and worshipped at St John the Baptist. 

Information obtained from: http://www.dartford.gov.uk/thingstodo/Tourism/documents/churchesbrochure.pdf