The Parish Church of Riverhead with Dunton Green, Kent; now part of the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry

History

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Riverhead was consecrated in 1831 as a Chapel of Ease to Sevenoaks Parish Church. Built to a design by Decimus Burton on land donated by the Amherst and Lambarde families, it encompasses a large open Nave with no intruding pillars and a Chancel in Early English style added in 1886.

St. Mary’s originally came under the authority of Canterbury but became part of the diocese of Rochester in 1905. This is noted by the engraving of the crests of Rochester and Canterbury on the inner West doors. Lancet windows bearing the shields of significant local dignitaries are to be found on each side of the Nave, and the Chancel and Sanctuary are dominated by a depiction of ‘Christ in Majesty’ in the form of an Italian glass mosaic. Above the south porch is the beautiful stained-glass Good Shepherd window paid for by monies (£45 !) collected by the children of Riverhead village and installed and dedicated in 1908.

Stained-glass windows in the Chancel, the Lady Chapel and at the north-east corner of the Nave are the happy result of many benefactors and the details can be found in a comprehensive guide available in the church.

Like most churches, the upkeep of St. Mary’s requires continual attention, not only to maintain the fabric of the building but to keep its facilities relevant to current needs. This has been achieved thanks to the generosity of the congregation and support from local people and charitable trusts; in recent years we have seen the installation of a magnificent electronic organ, a first-class sound system catering for those who are hard of hearing, and many other items that have enhanced the beauty of the church and contributed to our worship. In 1999 we saw the building next to the church of a well-equipped church hall with attendant facilities.

Following a pastoral re-organisation, as of 1 December 2019, we became part of the newly-created West Sevenoaks Team Ministry, working alongside St.Luke's, Sevenoaks and St.Mary's, Kippington.

[1] Scan - Centenary of the Consecration of St Mary's Church, Riverhead (1831-1931)

[2] Scan - Latest Church Guide

History of St. John the Divine

In 1908 the community of Dunton Green was separated from Otford and became a parish in its own right with its church of St. John the Divine, built in 1890. Mr Samuel Wreford was the local squire and the principal benefactor of the church but sadly in 1985 the falling congregation sadly meant that the church had to close and the parish came under the care of the vicar of Riverhead, and the congregations in the two villages came together as ‘the Parish of Riverhead with Dunton Green, worshipping at St. Mary’s Riverhead.

For further information please refer to the paper copy of our Parish Guide (please contact the Vicar for more information) which gives a much fuller picture of the history of the church and its community.

About the Parish

Welcome from the church of St Mary the Virgin Riverhead in the parish of Riverhead with Dunton Green.  

As of 1 December 2019, we are part of the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry, working alongside St.Luke's, Sevenoaks and St.Mary's, Kippington.

St Mary’s church was first consecrated in 1831 and ever since then Christian worship has been offered week by week and often day by day, the building being an expression of our faith in God’s presence with us in and through all things. Over the years many people have used it as the setting for the great events, celebrations and dramas in life from birth to death and this continues today. 

As an active part of the Christian community in the Sevenoaks area today we seek to be a worshipping witnessing people, faithful in our life of prayer and service, serving the needs of our community of whatever creed or of none. Sunday worship is at the heart of our journey, or perhaps a better word pilgrimage, through life – we join together to be fed and encouraged and the worship enriches and enables us to ‘love and serve the Lord’.

From this worship there grow other activities which include such things as study groups, work with children and young people, pastoral care, and, of course, social events. We are a community involved in a diverse pattern of activities and concerns and we seek to encourage others to be involved.

Who are we?

We are the Ecclesiastical Parish of Riverhead with Dunton Green (Licensed Lay Minister Daphne Harrison, with special responsibility for St Mary the Virgin, Riverhead with Dunton Green). 

As of 1 December 2019, we are part of the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry, working alongside St.Luke's, Sevenoaks (Team Vicar, Revd Anne Bourne, with special responsibility for St Luke's) and St.Mary's, Kippington  (Team Rector - position vacant);

• We are part of the Deanery of Sevenoaks 
• In the Archdeaconry of Tonbridge
• In the Diocese of Rochester 
• In the Province of Canterbury 
• Part of the Church of England
• Part of the Anglican Communion
• Part of the One Worldwide Church

Vicar's Welcome

Please note that our post of Vicar is currently vacant.

We do hope that you might be able to spend some time with us here at St Mary’s; the parish church of Riverhead with Dunton Green.

As of 1 December 2019, we are part of the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry, working alongside St.Luke's, Sevenoaks and St.Mary's, Kippington.

You are welcome to come along whatever your age, whatever your background or beliefs: whether you are one of Riverhead & Dunton Green's regulars; a visitor from another parish or church tradition; a newcomer to church or the idea of church; an enquirer; a doubter; a struggler with life's complexities; someone who is thinking about coming back to church after a while; or just someone who wants simply to come and sit quietly at the back.

We all need reminding from time to time that it is good to spend time together; or in peaceful reflection; or to come to understand more fully that God never tires of enjoying our company and hearing from us.

We trust, above all, that the impression you will get from St Mary's is of a place and a people of peace, of prayer; of hope and of love.

As we say on our main page here on this website - St Mary's hopes to be a still point in a turning world. Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens," Jesus says in Matthew's Gospel, "and I will give you rest".

Amen to that.

Martin

Test

The end

 (#) Assistant Churchwardens:  Barry Sharp and Sarah Stott.

 (&) Parish Safeguarding Officer (Children and Vulnerable Adults):  Susan Allender.

Further information about the PCC election process can be found by following this link

Ways to Give to St Mary's

There are many ways you can give to St Mary’s:

• Regular Giving: Standing Order and Pink Envelopes;
• Within Church;
• By post;
• Legacy.

REGULAR GIVING

Standing Order
Giving directly from an individual's bank account on a regular basis to the Church's bank account.

It is necessary to make a signed Declaration to put this in place, which gives the Donor's name and address, date when the giving is to start, the amount and the details of the Donor's bank account. Giving can be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.

Set up a Standing Order with your bank or building society using these details:

Payee:  PCC of Riverhead with Dunton Green
Payee's Bank:  CAF Bank Ltd, 5 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent  ME19 4JQ
Sort Code: 40-52-40
Account No: 00024384

Or download a Regular Giving Pro Forma, including Banker's Standing Order form, here.

If you are a UK taxpayer, please also fill out a Gift Aid (multiple donation) Declaration form, which allows us to reclaim tax on any donations you make to us.

Pink Envelopes
The Pink Freewill Offering Envelopes are for people who Gift Aid their weekly payments. You will be provided with a set of 52 envelopes into which a weekly offering can be placed and then put into the collection plate at Church services.

IN CHURCH COLLECTION

There are two main ways of giving whilst in Church:

Collection in service
You can give to the Church when attending a service either using the offering baskets which are passed along the pews during our Sunday services, or

Yellow envelopes
If you are a tax payer and wish the church to reclaim tax on your gift then you can place your collection within a yellow envelope, which can be found on each pew. All you have to do is put your gift in the envelope and complete the details on the front of the envelope and put it into the offering baskets that are passed along the pews during the service.

LEGACY

At St Mary's, we welcome all gifts in Wills, however large or small, and we promise to use your gift to make a difference in our Parish.

Our PCC legacy policy is to use gifts to help fund significant development projects, whether buildings, equipment or staff.

Since needs change over the years, we encourage you to leave a gift in your Will for the general purposes of the Parish rather than for a restricted purpose.

We will discuss possible uses of your gift with your executors when the time comes, bearing in mind your known areas of interest in the Church (e.g. music, buildings, children and youth, overseas mission or aid) and the Church's priorities at the time.

You can be confident that your gift will be used to make a real difference to our future mission and ministry.

We will acknowledge gifts in whatever way the donor and/or his/her executors feel most appropriate too. Equally, we can make sure that gifts remain anonymous if the donor prefers.

If you would like to make a gift to our Church in memoriam, please come and discuss this with us too.

It can be a wonderful and appropriate way to remember a loved one.

OTHER WAYS OF GIVING

Time and Talents
Being part of St Mary's Church does not just mean coming to Church on Sunday, although that's a very good start! This Parish thrives because its members get involved and support the life and worship of the Church, and its role in the local community. Many people make a huge contribution by giving time, practical ability and creativity.

Sunday Club Leaders or Helpers
Leaders and Helpers are needed for the children's groups (aged 0-11) on Sundays, as are Helpers to facilitate the group. Training and support are provided.

Drivers for the housebound
Volunteers are needed to drive people to Church and home again.

Church
We need the following help to assist at Sunday services: readers, sidespeople. We also need people to be involved in the leadership and management of the Church by becoming a member of the Parochial Church Council (PCC).

Choir
We would encourage, young or old, whatever you consider your ability, to think about helping out with the Choir. You don't have to be a 'great singer'; you don't need to read music. You'll get all the help, guidance and encouragement you need. It's a very friendly Choir and singing with other people is hugely enjoyable and fulfilling. Rehearsals are usually on a Thursday evening, but please don't let that put you off if you can't attend every time.

If you would like any further information about any of the above, please also see the information on the Contact Us page.

 (#) Assistant Churchwardens:  The PCC has also elected Veronica Todd and Rachel Wigley to serve as Assistant Churchwardens.

Further information about the PCC election process can be found by following this link