Set in the middle of a small backstreet parish (parts of which are among the poorest and most socially-deprived areas of Gillingham), this big Edwardian church may look rather forbidding from the outside, but the building is light and welcoming inside! This is a parish within the Catholic tradition of the Church of England - Resolutions A, B and C have been in place for several years, but although we are under alternative episcopal care we are also glad to have the active and positive support of our Diocesan Bishop, James.  A small and friendly congregation made up of people of all ages (about 30 of us on a good day!) meets here every Sunday morning for a simple but dignified sung Parish Mass, and we are always very pleased to see visitors.  Children and young people are especially welcome to stay in church and to be involved in the whole service, though there is a Sunday Club for children on most Sundays during term-time. There are two weekday Masses, together with daily Morning Prayer and other monthly or occasional services, as detailed below. We don't have many parish organisations, groups, or meetings at the moment, as our main activities are worship and prayer, centred on the Mass and the daily Office, but making time for other forms of devotion. We are, however, trying hard to continue to fulfil our role as a local parish church, by also offering a warm welcome to those wishing to arrange baptisms or weddings, by holding a variety of social and fundraising  events approximately monthly throughout the year, and by providing a 'sacred space' within the parish where people can encounter God.

We have a small but active Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham, linked to the famous Shrine in Norfolk, which meets for Mass and fellowship on (usually! - check beforehand) the first Saturday each month, and also on the major Marian festivals.  We also have links with our local Scout groups, who attend church several times a year.  Several of the congregation are members of the Third Order of the Society of St. Francis (TSSF), and there is now therefore a growing Franciscan influence in our parish life.

The interior of the church is of some interest, with its various chapels, pictures, statues, and other furnishings.  There is plenty of room for private prayer and meditation, and there are several places at which to light a candle. Our churchwardens and other volunteers keep it beautifully clean and tidy, along with the grounds around the building, and a great deal of interior refurbishment and renovation work has been carried out in recent months.   In addition, the hall has had some much-needed repairs and improvements, so that it is now readily available for further community activities as required.

 

Load map in Google Maps

Questions about this entry