Parish Church of Our Lady of Walsingham and Saint Francis, Rochester
Please click on the thumbnails below to view larger picture.
WRVS Hall, Rochester
In 1998 immediately prior to the Mission of Our Lady & St Francis being received into the ACC the congregation worshipped in the WRVS Hall, High Street, Rochester
Age Concern Centre, Strood
In 1999 when the Mission had joined the ACC worship moved to the Age Concern Centre, Strood, Rochester
Banner Blessed
In 1999 soon after joining ACC the then Vicar General Fr Patrick McEune visited the Mission and blesseed the Missions banner
Christmas 1999
Jemima Hipkiss helps Father Damien Mead to arrange the Christmas Crib
At the Age Concern Centre
Confirmation 2000
Rochester Confirmation Service 2000
Bishop Haverland Visits Our Lady & St Francis
Father Damien's Old Home
In 2001 the Mission had to relocate at short notice from the Age Concern Centre. By this stage Fr Mead had moved from Rochester but his old house stood empty. A make shift chapel was erected there while a search was made for a new home.
Wedding 2002
Rochester Wedding 2002
On Saturday 22nd June 2002 Father Mead, assisted by Deacon Thompson, blessed, after a Civil Ceremony, the Marriage of Deborah Louise Luetchford and Roy Ellams.
Rochester Patronal 2002
Rochester Patronal 2002
Sprinkling Walsingham Water
Rochester Patronal 2002
Rochester Patronal 2002
Processsion with Banner of Our Lady
Rochester Patronal 2003
Father Damien Mead presnted the Parish with a Relic of St Frnacis of Assisi, complete with document which allows public veneration
Father Damien Mead's Last Mass
After 10 years as Priest in Charge of the Mission Father Damien Mead celebrated his last Mass as Priest in Charge on Sunday 8th June 2003. At the end of the Service he presented the Parish with a written and photographic record of the 10 years. Fr Mead, who is also Diocesan Dean, will continue his ministry at st Nicholas, Lydd
The New Parish Priest
On St Peter's Day 29th June 2003 The Dean licensed Father Raymond Thompson, formerly Curate of the Parish, to be Parish Priest. Father Thompson is pictured at the end of his first Mass as PP giving the blessing.
2003 Baptism
On 28 June 2003 the parish priest Baptised Chloe May Church and Jacob Stanley Church. The children are pictured with their parents, Richard and Carol, and Fr Thompson.
2005 Baptism
On Easter Day 2005, in a packed chapel, Fr R. Thompson baptised his grand-daughter Keira Rae Naomi Farrant at Our Lady and S. Francis, Rochester. Pictured, l. to r., are Godparents Chris Skingley and Gemma Wells, Fr Thompson, his daughter Vicki and Matthew Farranton.
Baptism 2005
4th June 2005 Fr Thompson baptised Drew Brett Mayhead and Bailey Freddie Mayhead. L-R are Godparents Darren Harper, Joanna Harper and James Murray, with parents Brett and Tracey Mayhead.
Baptism 2005
On 17th September 2005 Father Thompson baptised William Thomas Moffat. L-R Parents Duncan and Julie (with William) and Godparents Simon Thompson, Teresa Thompson and Tony Hill.
Patronal 2005
The Patronal Festival Procession in October 2005 before Mass.
The Chapel
The Rochester Chapel viewed from outside
Easter Vigil 2006
Holy Saturday Vigil 2006, Our Lady & St Francis Rochester, the paschal candle alight in the Chapel on the eve of Easter day.
Easter Vigil 2006
Holy Saturday Vigil 2006, Our Lady & St Francis Rochester, The Vicar General begins the first Mass of Easter.
Baptism 2006
On Easter Day 2006 at Our Lady and Saint Francis, Rochester, the Baptism took place of Mary Elizabeth Wells. Pictured (l. to r.) are parents Gemma and Chris Wells, Fr Thompson with Mary, and Godparents Victoria Thompson, Simon Joiner and Maxine Joiner.
Corpus Christi 2006
Corpus Christi June 2006. Bishop Starks and some of the congregation at Our Lady and St Francis, Rochester, after he celebrated a pontifical Sung Mass for the Feast.
Baptism 2006
On Whitsunday, 4th June 2006, Fr Raymond Thompson Baptised Beth Lucia Farrant at Our Lady and Saint Francis, Rochester. Pictured on the left are Godparents Gemma Wells, Joanne Pointer (with Beth), and Chris Skingley. On the right are the proud parents, Vicki (Fr Thompson's daughter) and Matthew Farrant.
Baptism 2006
On 2nd September 2006 Kyra Janelle Roach was Baptised by Fr Raymond Thompson at the chapel of Our Lady and Saint Francis, Rochester.
Patronal 2006
Fr Thompson blesses incense at the altar during Mass on Saturday 7th October 2006 to celebrate the parish Patrons, Our Lady of Walsingham and St Francis of Assisi.
Patronal 2006
Saturday 7th October 2006. 24 people joined this years annual parish procession preceeding the Patronal Festival
Remembrance Service 2006
On Sunday Remembrance Sunday 5th November 2006 the annual service of blessing and sprinkling with Holy Water of the graves of military personnel took place at Our Lady and St Francis, Rochester.
Confirmations 2007
Thursday 12th April 2007. Bishop Rommie M Starks and the Parish Priest, Father Raymond Thompson, together with the newly confirmed, Fr Thompson's daughter Victoria, (holding her daughter Keira Farrant) and Maureen Coventry
Baptism 2007
George Raymond and Max Robert Fraser, Baptised on 30 September 2007 at Our Lady and S. Francis, pictured with their Parents and Godparents and Fr Thompson.
Patronal 2007
Patronal Festival Benediction on 6th October 2007. Fr Raymond Thompson censes the Blessed Sacrament assisted by Mr Barry Capper
Patronal 2007
Patronal Festival Benediction on 6th October. Fr Raymond Thompson gives Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Baptism 2007
On Advent Sunday, 2 December 2007, at Our Lady and S. Francis, Fr Thompson Baptised Hannah Leanne Cole and Harry Michael Lee Cole. In the picture with the children and Fr Thompson are their parents and Godparents: Henry and Sarah Shinners, Jaqueline Jarvis, Ian Forrest, Caroline and Lee Cole and Michelle Stuart.
Christmas 2007
Our Lady & St Francis, Christmas 2007
Vandalism 2008
After the vandalism caused the Chapel to be put out of action in Holy Week. Easter Day 23rd March 2008, Some of the congregation of Our Lady and S. Francis who braved the heavy snow fall on Easter morning to meet in the porch of the boarded-up church to celebrate a service of Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament
Vandalism 2008
Fr Raymond Thompson (Parish Priest) surveys the scene as the congregation is unable to access the church on Easter Day 2008 (complete with snowflakes!) there is some evidence to suggest that the vandals have returned and tried to access the Church again.
Wedding 2007
Father Raymond Thompson at the wedding of his son Timothy to Katherine Barnes on 1 September 2007 in Wotton-under-Edge
Wedding 2008
Father Raymond Thompson with his daughter Victoria at her wedding to Matthew Farrant on 25 April 2008 in Walderslade
Wedding 2008
Father Raymond Thompson with his daughter Nicola at her wedding to Rhys Meredith on 7 June 2008 in Charing
New Doors 2008
Wednesday 6 August, following the 9am Mass for the Transfiguration, the congregation proudly show off the brand new church doors, which have cost approximately £2000 to make and fit.
Rededication 2008
During the rededication of the Church (after the vandalism in Holy week) on Saturday 23rd August 2008 Father Raymond Thompson presents Bishop Elect Damien Mead with a Simple Mitre, on behalf of the congregation.
Rededication 2008
After the rededication some of the congregation enjoy refreshments in the afternoon sunshine
Patronal 2008
The Annual Procession to mark the Mission's Patronal Festival, St Francis Day (4th October) 2008.
Patronal 2008
During the Patronal festival Solemn Mass (4th Oct 2008) Bishop Damien Mead blesses incense
Patronal 2008
(4th Oct 2008) Bishop Damien Mead celebrates Solemn Mass in honour of St Francis of Assisi and commemorates Our Lady of Walsingham
Appointment of Dean 2008
St Lucy's Day 13th December 2008, The Very Rev Raymond Thompson, newly appointed Dean of the South, makes his Canonical Vows to the Bishop
Father Raymond Thompson
The new Dean of the Southern Deanery, The Very Revd Raymond Thompson, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Walsingham & St Francis of Assisi, Rochester, Kent
Baptism on Easter Day 2009
Angelina Marie-Thérése Morag Collier, pictured after her Baptism during Mass on Easter Day by Father Thompson at Rochester. Angelina and her parents, Trevor and Nathaly have become regular members of the congregation. She is pictured with her Godparents, Martine Laurent, Susan Bristol, Linda Young and Matthew Senior.
Angelina Marie-Thérése Morag Collier
Baptism in Gillingham August 2009
On 30 August 2009 Bethany Paige Puplett (pictured on the knee of her mother Amanda) was Baptised by The Very Revd Raymond Thompson in Gillingham, Kent. Also pictured, l. to r., are Godparents Neil Puplett, David Cohen, Kerry Le-Gras, Bethany's father Mark, and Godparents Alison and Kevin Drew.
Baptism in Gillingham August 2009 (2)
During the service
Patronal Festival 2009
On Saturday 10th October 2009 Bishop Mead visited the Rochester Parish for their Patronal Festival. Before Mass the usual procession took place in honour of Our Lady.
Patronal Festival 2009
The altar party after Mass
Patronal Festival 2009
After the Mass the Bishop presented the parish with a new statue of Our Lady of Walsingham
Patronal Festival 2009
Bishop Mead blessed the statue and then sprinkled it - and Jemima Hipkiss (!) who held Our Lady - with Holy Water.
