 Originally the borough or manor of the church of St. Peter-in-Thanet, it was said to be the largest parish east of London, at least until Broadstairs became a separate parish on 27 September 1850.The two settlements were formally merged administratively in 1895.The village and its church, named after Saint Peter, was the second daughter church of Minster established in 1070, although the first written record of its present name dates to 1124.