Facilities and features
Accessibility
Ladies and Gents toilets are available in the Hall. A single WC is located off the Vestry at the east end of the church, via a few steps. The Hall toilets are on the level.
Available in the Ladies toilets in the Hall.
Limited off-street car parking is available outside the Scout HQ in King William Road, ME7 1PD.
On-street parking is free on Sundays, but on Mondays to Saturdays 8am - 10pm a permit is required. Visitors' day permits are available if required during the week.
The Ladies toilet in the Hall is wheelchair-accessible, as are the Gents urinals, but the Gents cubicle is not (it's the size of a broom cupboard!). Sorry, but the Vestry WC is also not easily accessible to wheelchair users.
People with autism are welcome.
Limited off-street parking (see above) is available outside the Scout HQ in King William Road, ME7 1PD, with reasonably level access to the Hall via a couple of short ramps. Access to the level entrance to the Church means a short walk along the street, if no spaces are available outside the main door.
There is an easily-negotiated metal portable ramp between the Hall lobby and the main Hall itself. There is a very low threshold at the Virginia Road entrance to the Church.
Large print hymnbooks are available on request. We have no large-print service books at the moment, pending revision, but we do ensure that the free Advent/Lent devotional booklets are available in large print.
Assistance dogs are very welcome - there is plenty of room for them!
We always welcome those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's, and their carers.
Wheelchair access to the church (nave only) is via the Virginia Road entrance (there is a low threshold). Access to the Hall is via a steel ramp from the lobby to the Hall proper. There is no direct wheelchair access between the church and the Hall.
Our Building
There is a fine stained glass window in the Lady Chapel. depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a couple of windows in the nave aisles depicting saints.
Not listed, thankfully, but of some interest as a typical late 19th/early 20th century backstreet parish church. It was never completed as originally planned (a common fate of Cutts' brothers churches!), and the west end, with its varying levels, is difficult to use as it stands.
The various statues, pictures, and other furnishings, along with the liberal use of whitewash on the walls, add to the calm atmosphere of a church where 'prayer has been valid' (T. S. Eliot).
Music and Worship
Informal concerts are held occasionally - see Events for details.
We have a fine Johannus electronic organ, and this is augmented for some hymns/songs by a grand piano.
1662 BCP Matins is held on most Sundays at 930am. It is a said service, with no sermon. It is not widely advertised, though, as it is not possible to guarantee it being held every week.
Groups, Courses and Activities
A monthly Saturday evening 'Youth Club & Youth Service' mainly for 7-16s - details in the Events section. All staff DBS checked. The event usually includes a short, seasonal act of worship in the Church.
Baptism/Confirmation preparation courses are held as required, and special Study Courses are sometimes held during Lent and Advent.
We have in the past supported asylum-seekers, and are happy to do so again if the need arises.
An occasional variation on the Community Cafe/Jumble Sale theme - see the next entry!
Our monthly 'Community Cafe' is very much a community-focussed event, and includes useful stalls (clothes, toys, books etc.) as well as providing a safe space in which to simply sit, chat, and enjoy tasty refreshments!
Spiritual counselling and direction, sometimes referred to as 'Confession', is available by arrangement.
(NOTE - please contact Father Garry on 01634 580633)
The King William Nursery (a privately-owned concern) meets on Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays from 9am - 3pm, and on Thursdays/Fridays from 9am - 12 noon. Contact the Managers for full details on 07557 418 266 or 07557 417 215.
A monthly Saturday afternoon/evening 'Youth Club' meets in the Hall and Church, as listed in 'Services and Events'.
Help for Visitors
A revised and update guidebook/history is available - please contact Fr Garry for details.
'Community Cafe' monthly (approximately) as announced, on a Saturday 1030am - 1pm. See 'Services and Events' for dates, and further details. Nice bacon rolls, nourishing soup etc. etc.!
The Church is usually open only for services on Sundays (930am, 1030am & 5pm or 6pm), Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays (10am), Tuesdays (530pm) and Wednesdays (8am).
If the door is open, please come in!
Dogs are welcome, although we do ask their humans to keep them under control...
Other Features
We encourage people to donate items, whilst shopping in local supermarkets, on behalf of Medway Foodbank (a Trussell Trust venture). Our own collection point (The Blue Box) in church is now back in use, and there are various other ways in which to help the Foodbank - see their website for details:
https://medway.foodbank.org.uk/
One of the poorest parishes in the country - 930 out of 12599, where 1 is the most deprived, according to the Church Urban Fund Poverty Index. The population is about 6000, set to rise over the next few years, with 950 new homes planned for the Chatham Waters Development.
We look on every Sunday as 'Come to Church Sunday', and encourage our 'regulars' to invite family, friends, neighbours or colleagues whenever they have the opportunity.
The Hall is available again for hire, but no EVENING BOOKINGS after 9pm can now be considered. Contact 07503 040015 for details of availability and charges.