About Us

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH

• For nearly one hundred and fifty years the village of Kilndown was a separate parish centred around the two great estates of Bedgebury to the east and Scotney Castle to the west. Christ Church lacks the grandeur of St Mary’s in Goudhurst, but rewards the inquisitive visitor with a striking example of a Victorian gothic interior rich in colour and detail. Like many others of similar size, Kilndown has lost its church school and shops in recent years, but the sense of community is strong and the villagers work hard to sustain their identity, using the Village Hall and the Quarry centre for a wide range of activities.

STYLE OF WORSHIP

• Worship is based around the Eucharist. The prayer book is used for monthly evensong at Christ Church during the summer months.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

• Plans are afoot to renew children’s work at Christ Church.

DETAILS OF OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES

• Christ Church has a team of bell-ringers.  The church has an active Friend's association which raises money for the maintenance of the fabric of the church and promotes social life and links to well wishers within and beyond the community.

LINKS WITH SCHOOLS IN THE PARISH

• Kilndown and Goudhurst are very fortunate in having a fine church school, and a group representing the school and the two churches has worked hard to utilise the church buildings as a teaching resource and also to help the children to learn to worship in a way that is appropriate for them. It has been possible to enrich the life of the pupils by funding visits for every child to the cathedral at Canterbury, and also by using the link with the church in Sri Lanka to provide multicultural experiences.

OVERSEAS LINKS/PROJECTS

• The Sri Lanka link, though formally independent of the two churches, is rooted in the two parishes.  The Link continues to foster greater understanding and facilitate exchanges of people between two very different cultures.

AFFILIATIONS/LINKS TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS/CHURCHES

• Much of what is done together with the Roman Catholic community takes place at the church of the Sacred Heart. Highlights of the year include shared Lent activities culminating in an unusual simultaneous celebration of the Eucharist together on Easter Eve.  Processions are loved!  Kilndown has its turn on Palm Sunday when worshippers follow the donkey in remembering Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem.

OPENING TIMES OF THE CHURCHES

• The church is open daily.