St Mary of Charity Church Faversham

 

2020 will go down in the history books for several reasons; a global pandemic, generation-defining protests, clapping for national heroes, and communities coming together as one will be among the headliners.

Although the changing of Faversham’s church bells isn’t up there as 2020’s most defining event for the majority, for one little parish in Faversham it’s a big event and one that was necessary.

CommunityAd investigated the silence around town by speaking with Miranda Ford, a woman who is devoted to the church and the community. Having moved to Faversham nine years ago Miranda soon became involved with the community and St Mary of Charity, it wasn’t too long before she became Church Warden. “Three and a half years ago I became Church Warden, I have been warden at other churches across the UK over the years and now the time was right as I felt led into this role again”. The role as Church Warden is one that Miranda cherishes as she tells us, “the role is very varied and along with the things that have to be done as Church Warden, I include the gifts I am blessed with that make me tick. Caring for people whether Church or Community is truly my first love. Just being there”.

 

So, Miranda, the noise about the town is well, the silence of St Mary’s, tell us more if you may?

Normally the church bells ring out across the town and welcome people in the community to events and services and for special occasions. We are privileged to have a great team of ringers. However, two things have caused silence over the last six months: COVID, and the long-awaited works in the Bell Tower, the latter enabled by a very kind benefactor.

Many people have commented on how they particularly miss the Sunday morning ring.

 

Presumably, it’s a tough old job restoring 300-year-old bells, more than just a bit of Cillit Bang required?

All the Bells have been removed for repair and re-hanging, taken away to Taylors’ Bell specialists at Loughborough and on to Soundweld at Newmarket for conservation welding. We shall be installing an extra two bells lifting the total to ten. The tower has been assessed by a consultant engineer so we are assured it can take the stress for the extra two bells. We are building a new metal frame for the two new bells and repairing the existing timber frame to receive the return of the other eight.

We have removed our beautiful clock and I am delighted to say the Westminster chimes will be re-instated and will chime between 8 am and 8 pm on an auto winder.

I am also pleased to say that we shall be dung free from our feathered friends the pigeons, and the belfry will be sanitised. We are then installing mesh to stop pigeon ingress!

 

Do you have any idea when the bells will chime once again?

Chiming bells again? The works are lengthy, delicate and complicated, the glorious sound of bells from the church tower will be heard at the very earliest in December.

 

What makes Faversham such a pleasant community to be a part of?

The people themselves, the abundance of history and the beautiful walks are just a few things that make Faversham so special. I searched many a town before I was led to settle here in this amazing place.

 

As we approach what will be no doubt a difficult period in terms of dark nights, virus looming etc is there anything our readers should know about i.e events at the church? Message of faith perhaps?

The Benefice of Faversham is made up of churches in Davington, Ospringe, Preston, and Faversham, St Mary of Charity being in the centre of Faversham. During these strange times of COVID we have kept connected by Facebook, worship online, worship DVDs, with a monthly newsletter, numerous phone calls and emails, not forgetting doorstep visits. St Mary’s did a Church Family photo which is on our Church Door to hold people together, it was great fun. Wednesday private prayer is available, 11am-2pm, please pop in. Also, our church is at present open again for modified Sunday Worship (all COVID regulations in place).

Please book in for Sundays, we’d love to see you: [email protected]  or 01795 227202.

The Church is where the people are, whether in the church building or out in every part of the community. God is closer than the air we breathe. If we can help you in any way please contact us.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

CommunityAd look forward to the return of the beautiful bells. To keep up to date with developments or to find out more about St Mary of Charity Church and its events, visit their website or follow them on Facebook @4favstmoc.

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