St Michael the Archangel Church, Chatham

St Michael the Archangel Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Chatham, Kent, England. It was built from 1862 to 1863 in the Romanesque Revival style, designed by Henry Clutton. In 1935, an extension was built, designed by the Frederick Walters and Son firm. It is situated on Hill's Terrace between Rochester Street and Maidstone Road, next to Chatham railway station. When built, it was the only Catholic church in Medway.[2]

St Michael's Church
St Michael the Archangel Church
OS grid referenceTQ 75534 67509
LocationChatham, Kent
CountryUnited Kingdom
DenominationRoman Catholic
History
StatusParish church
DedicationMichael (archangel)
Consecrated6 June 1951
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architect(s)Henry Clutton
StyleRomanesque Revival
Years built1862 to 1863
Administration
DeaneryChatham[1]
ArchdioceseSouthwark
ProvinceSouthwark

History
Church interior

Foundation

In 1795, the first Catholic mission in Medway was founded in Brompton. It created by a French priest. At first, the chapel was housed on Westcourt Street and later on Manor Street. The mission would remain there until St Michael's Church was built.[2]

Construction

The church was built from 1862 to 1863. It was designed by Henry Clutton and the estimated cost was £1,695. When it was built the church became the centre of the Catholic mission in Medway. From the church, priests would go out to say Mass for Catholic congregations in the surrounding area, such as those in Gillingham. In 1881, the pulpit was given to the church by locally garrisoned Catholic soldiers.[2]

Extension

In 1929, a new school was built. It was designed by Frederick Walters and Son. In 1935, the sanctuary was extended and side chapels were added. They were also designed by Frederick Walters and Son. The foundation stone of the extension was laid by a Mgr Hallett. On 6 June 1951, the church was consecrated.[2]

Parish
Sacred Heart Church, Luton, served from St Michael's Church

Priests from St Michael's Church also serve St Paulinus Church in Brompton and Sacred Heart Church in Luton. St Paulinus Church was built in 1788 as a Wesleyan Chapel. In 1892, it was bought by the local Catholic Church.[3] Sacred Heart Church was built in 1949. On 26 June 1949, its foundation stone was laid by the parish priest of St Michael's Church.[4] St Paulinus Church has one Sunday Mass at 9:00am. Sacred Heart Church also has one Sunday Mass, it is at 10:30am.[5]

St Michael's Church has four Sunday Masses: 6:30pm on Saturday and 9:30am, 11:00am and 6:00pm on Sunday.[5]

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See also

References
  1. Chatham deanery from Archdiocese of Southwark, retrieved 30 January 2016
  2. Chatham - St Michael the Archangel from English Heritage, retrieved 30 January 2016
  3. Chatham - St Paulinus from English Heritage, retrieved 30 January 2016
  4. Chatham - Sacred Heart from English Heritage, retrieved 30 January 2016
  5. Saint Michael the Archangel from Archdiocese of Southwark, retrieved 30 January 2016
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