Holy Family, Singlewell, Kent

Holy Family, Singlewell Church

Image Source: Rob Baker

Holy Family was built between 1957-58 on a reserved plot of land between the two newly constructed Christian Fields and Kings Farm housing estates in the Singlewell area to the south of Gravesend. It was consecrated in June 1959. Its spacious church hall was added in the 1960s and is currently undergoing further renovation to ensure it can continue to host a wide range of community events. In 1979 the interior was reordered with the addition of an upper gallery at the west end together with a new vestry and entrance to the south west. The architect was R. Marsh. The sanctuary area was previously at the west end under the window but was switched to the liturgal east end following the refurbishment. There is one bell hanging outside in a makeshift belfry connecting the church with its tall, needle-like, spire which is detached from the main building. The bell predates the church, and is likely to have originally hung in one of the three Victorian-era churches in Gravesend and Northfleet that were demolished in the 1960s and 1970s, although no-one is certain which. A small Lady Chapel has been built beneath the gallery in what was formerly the sanctuary area. This is used for midweek communion services and Bible studies. The main worship area is neat and tidy with three rows of original wooden benches, complete with churchwardens poles, positioned directly beneath the gallery. The rest of the seating is modern. A traditionally designed series of Stations of the Cross adorn the walls. Hanging over the balcony is a lovingly made quilt designed in the 1980s by a former parishioner. It features the image of the church in the centre square; but also included on a smaller panel on the left side is the other church in the parish, the tiny St. Margaret's at Ifield.There is no stained-glass, but the south window nearest the sanctuary depicts a winged angel in the patterning, which bathes this area of the church in an aura of yellow light when the sun shines on it. Holy Family shares its building with a Pentecostal (Redeemed Christian Church of God) congregation, known as the Solution Ground Parish. Text by Rob Baker

1851 Census Details

Seating Capacity: Not built

Morning Attendance: not built

Afternoon Attendance: Not built

Evening Attendance: Not built

Architecture Details

Original Build Date/Architect: 1959

Restoration:

Second Restoration:

Notes

Website

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