About Us

Set in the middle of a very small backstreet parish (parts of which are among the poorest, and most socially-deprived, areas of Gillingham, and, indeed, the country as a whole), this big red-brick Edwardian church may look rather forbidding from the outside, but, despite the rough edges, it is light, warm, and welcoming inside!

Our worship sits firmly within the Catholic tradition of the Church of England - we are affiliated to The Society of St Wilfrid and St Hilda, and are under the episcopal care of the Bishop of Richborough.  

A small, friendly, and inclusive 'family-sized' congregation made up of people of all ages (about 25-35 of us on a good day) meets here every Sunday morning for a simple, reverent, but relaxed, Parish Mass at 1030am.  Despite the size of the church building, even a comparatively small number doesn't seem to get lost... 

We are always very pleased to see visitors and newcomers, because we are a forward-thinking church, serving our little community in whatever way we can, and sharing the love of God through our worship, and practical help, whether you happen to actually live in our parish or not.  We especially welcome those wanting to arrange a Baptism or Wedding, but we're also here for those of you going through difficult times, and, if you need prayer, or the Ministry of Healing, either for yourself, or a loved one, please let us know.

Children and young people are invited to stay in church, and to be involved in the whole service, and a safe area, with room to move around, is available for the smallest members of the congregation.  There is no regular Sunday School at present, as our main work with youngsters is done through the monthly Youth Club, and the various affiliated Squirrels/Beavers/Cubs/Scouts groups. 

We are able to hold a daily Mass, using our various chapels (including a 'pop-up' chapel in the otherwise empty space at the west end of the church).

We have a lively Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham (which includes members from several other local churches), linked to the famous Anglican Shrine in Norfolk. Cell Masses are held on one Saturday each month, and on the major Marian festivals - see the weekly Pew Sheet for details.

We have friendly links with our local Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, and Squirrels groups, who attend church three or four times each year.

The interior of the church is of some interest, with its various side chapels, pictures, statues, and other Arts and Crafts furnishings, many of which date from the inter-War incumbency of Canon William Lutyens, brother of the well-known English architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens.  Some items could now benefit from cleaning or restoration.

There is plenty of room for private prayer, and meditation, and there are several places at which to light a candle. Volunteers keep the Church clean and tidy, along with the surrounding grounds (though offers of help with cleaning, and/or gardening, are always well received!). 

Some interior refurbishment and renovation work has, in fact, been carried out in the Church in recent years, and, in addition, the Hall has had some much-needed repairs and improvements to allow its use by a pre-school Nursery every weekday, an exciting move forward in our community outreach. 
 
  

*N.B. PARKING AT ST LUKE'S* Parking restrictions - Permit Holders Zone L only - are in force in ALL the streets around the Church from 8am to 10pm Mondays to Saturdays. Visitors' parking vouchers are available to anyone attending weekday services or events, if required (donations welcome!), and we have a very limited number of off-road parking spaces near the Hall in King William Road. Up to four (4) hours free parking is available on-street at the lower end of Rosebery Road, ME7......and there are NO parking restrictions in the vicinity of the Church on Sundays.