About Us
Christmas message from our Churchwarden Andrew Baxter
During this Lenten Season, may we welcome you and your family to our beautiful church situated on the North Downs of Kent, in the pleasant village of Eastling. Please feel free to visit and spend some time looking around this historic building that has over time been our mainstay for worship, prayer and the occasional social function. You will find the church open between 9.00am and 5.00pm each day. May you experience a blessing from being in the presence and peacefulness of God.
We do hope you enjoy your visit and perhaps attending one of our Morning Services, and if you need to contact us, or need more information, there are numbers listed on this page.
Best wishes and please come and join us.
Andrew
Background History to St. Mary's Church
It is said that if you want to know an English village look at its church.
St. Mary, Eastling, is part of the Parish of High Downs with the churches of St. Mary, Stalisfield with Otterden; St. Michael and All Angels, Throwley. We are also part of the wider Christian community of the Ospringe Deanery. We have one PCC that is supported by members of each church in the parish. We meet and share regularly in worship, fellowship and joint parish events throughout the year.
Eastling Church lies southeast of the main street in the centre of the village, about 300 yards along Kettle Hill Road. The church is set back from the road and is surrounded by mature yew trees (one of which is more than 2,000 years old), with only the spire visible above them. Parts of the church, such as the base of the tower, date from the 11th century. The nave is from the 12th century; the chancel, the 13th; and the sanctuary and St Katherine Chapel, the 14th. In 1855, R.C.Hussey substantially rebuilt the nave, the north aisle and the south arcade, and completely re-roofed the nave (unfortunately destroying many medieval features).
Many of us come to St. Mary’s out of faith, others out of love of an ancient building, but we are all determined to make sure our church is open and available for all when needed. St. Mary’s has been here, in the centre of our village for over 900 years. It has watched as the village has been through plague, civil war and two World Wars. It has been a constant presence in times of trouble and sadness, times of celebration and gladness, and for funerals, christenings and weddings. We know that a church is more than a building, it's about the family of people who make up that church. It is the desire of this church and its members to reflect the love and light of Christ to all in our communities for generations to come.
You and your family are most welcome to join us, please contact us should you need further information, or wish for someone to meet you when you first come to church. We will be happy to show you around and help to introduce you to others.
Priest in Charge:
Revd. Paula Jardine-Rose
Paula has overall responsibility for ministry within the Benefice of Kingsdown, Creekside and High Downs.
The Vicarage, The Street, Doddington, Kent ME9 0BH
07516 411269
Email: [email protected]
Associate Priest: Reverend Jim Pye
The Rectory, Newnham Lane, Eastling, Faversham, Kent ME13 0AS.
01795 890726
Churchwarden at St. Mary, Eastling: Andrew Baxter
Deputy Warden: Mark Harlow 07979 864000.
Readers:
Caroline Ramshaw - Caroline is also our Minister with Anna Chaplaincy
Pim Baxter
Authorised Lay Ministry Leader (ALM)
Mark Harlow - Morning Services in the Benefice and Cornerstone, Lynsted Church
Administrator: Joyce Warren
Parish Office Email: [email protected]
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Mark Harlow 07979864000: [email protected]
Facebook: facebook.com/highdownsbenefice
Good News Magazine Editor: Mrs. Hilary Harlow
Eastling Church Council
Chair: Andrew Baxter
Secretary: Steve Youle
Treasurer: Andrew Baxter (Interim)
Deanery Synod Representative: Andrew Baxter
Members:
Steve Youle
Caroline Ramshaw
Pim Baxter
Stewart Bromley
Sue Perks
Mark Harlow
2026 Services of Worship within High Downs
Within this parish we have regular services of worship and they are listed below.
There is always a weekly service for you to attend.
Our regular 10.30am Sunday morning services are as follows:
1st Sunday Holy Communion at Eastling
2nd Sunday Morning Worship at Throwley
3rd Sunday Morning Worship at Eastling
4th Sunday Holy Communion at Throwley
Regular Services within the Benefice during February 2026
The First Sunday of Lent
22nd Feb
Readings:
Romans 5 :12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
22nd Feb SERVICES:
9:00 AM
Morning Prayer, Facebook Live
10:30 AM
Family Holy Communion, Lynsted
Holy Communion, Throwley
Morning Worship, Newnham
Morning Worship, Oare
4:00PM
Evensong, Teynham
Details of Services during March will be published shortly.
Daily Morning Prayer 9.00am. Live Streamed.
Please join the Live Facebook Broadcast led by a member of the ministry team. Please visit www.kingsdowncreekside.co.uk and click on the the facebook icon.
Follow our services at: www.kingsdowncreekside.co.uk
Private Prayer at St. Mary, Eastling
St. Mary, Eastling is open every day for private prayer 9.00am to 5.00pm.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Should you have any questions please contact our Benefice Administrator, Joyce Warren, whose contact details are given below:
A church official can be contacted by telephoning:
01795 521831 The office is manned two days each week and all calls left on the answering system, outside these hours, are monitored regularly and returned promptly.
or emailing:
Joyce Warren, the Benefice Administrator on:
Weddings and Funerals
Weddings and Baptisms Please visit the Weddings and Baptisms page from the main menu. You can find more information or details and a form on how to apply.
Funerals Please visit the Funerals page from the main menu under Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals where you can find more information and how to contact us.
DIOCESAN STAFF & PARISH SUPPORT
The Diocesan staff team remains committed to supporting you with any of your questions - and will continue to be available to you by phone and email. If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to call Diocesan House on 01227 459401.
WHERE CAN I GET FURTHER SUPPORT for my spiritual needs.
The Living Well, Canterbury Diocese Centre for Healing & Wholeness team, offer listening and prayer and individual retreats. To book and for more information, please email [email protected].
You can also email requests to their weekly prayer support team:
[email protected]
PRAYER
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy.
Sustain and support the anxious,
be with those who care for the sick,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may find comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.