Church of St Augustine of Canterbury

Eastling Road, Painters Forstal, Nr Faversham, Kent ME13 0DU

clergy

The Right Revd Damien Mead

Rector

Tel: 01797 321704
Email: dmead@anglicancatholic.org

Ordained as a priest in 1990, Bishop Damien served congregations in London, Whitstable before joining the Anglican Catholic Church (ACC) in January 1999, After he received ordination, sub-conditione, in the ACC in June 1999, he served as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Walsingham and St Francis of Assisi, Rochester, Kent and then, in May 2005 he established this parish in Canterbury. In November 2001 he was appointed as Diocesan Dean, this was followed in April 2004 by his promotion to Diocesan Vicar General.

In March 2008 the Electoral Synod of the Diocese of the United Kingdom elected Father Damien to become the next Bishop of our Diocese. This election was ratified by the Metropolitan Archbishop and the College of Bishops of the Original Province around the world, and he was duly consecrated as a Bishop in the Church of God and appointed and enthroned as the Second Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the United Kingdom, on 20th September 2008.

Bishop Mead, as with all ACC Clergy in our Diocese is bi-vocational and non stipendiary. In his secular career he has, since August 2000, worked as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credo Care Limited, an Independent Fostering Agency specialising in the care of children and young people with disabilities and complex medical needs. Prior to that he worked in retail and social work. Bishop Mead holds a Diploma in Theology and a Fellowship in Theology from Victoria College, London. In October 2020 he had conferred upon him the award of Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) by the Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi Christian University, of Miami, Florida, USA. He is a long standing member of the British Institute of Directors.

Bishop Damien lives on the Romney Marsh. He is kept busy with his two miniature Jack Russell’s, Minnie and Daisy, and also keep chickens.

The Venerable Raymond Thompson

Honorary Assistant Priest

Tel: 07443 438465
Email:frraythompson@gmail.com

Father Ray Thompson was received into the ACC in 2000, having been a Lay Reader in the Church of England for more than 30 years. He was ordained deacon in 2001 and priest the following year. He served as curate at Our Lady and St Francis, Rochester until becoming parish priest there in 2003, a post he held for 11 years.

From 2008 until 2022 he was Dean of the Southern Deanery and in 2011 became Archdeacon. Although he retired from parish ministry in 2014 he continues as Archdeacon and in 2022 was also appointed Vicar General of the Diocese.  In 2019 the Bishop appointed him as Chairman of the Board of Ministry.

Fr Ray spent most of his working life in the printing industry, mainly as a proof reader, and these skills are often put to good use within the Diocesan office.

Having assisted at St Augustine’s on a regular basis for several years the decision was made that he should be added to the staff in an official capacity.

Fr Ray holds a Fellowship Diploma in Theology from Victoria College, London, and is a Fellow of the Fraternity of St Cecilia, a Fellow of the Guild of Musicians and Singers, and a Member of the Guild of St Teilo.

He lives on the Isle of Sheppey and has a large family with six children and six grandchildren, who help to keep him occupied!

A Welcome Message From Bishop Damien

Profile

The Anglican Catholic Church of St Augustine was formed in May 2005.

Originally meeting at Canterbury City Cemetery Chapel. On Low Sunday, 15th April 2007, Bishop Rommie Starks, Episcopal Visitor to the Diocese of the United Kingdom, formally blessed and dedicated a Chapel in the City Centre (within sight of Canterbury Cathedral) – just off the High Street. A former non conformist place of worship reclaimed from secular use and dedicated to our patron, St Augustine – the first Archbishop of Canterbury.

In 2008 our Priest in Charge was elected and, on 20th September 2008, duly consecrated as the Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the United Kingdom.

In 2008 Bishop Mead commissioned an Icon of a local Saint, Blessed Elizabeth Barton, known as the ‘Maid of Kent’ or “Nun of Kent” who was a Benedictine nun at St. Sepulchre’s Convent in Canterbury (the area is now known as Nunnery Fields) Blessed Elizabeth had visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and was martyred on the orders of Henry VIII on 21st of April, 1534. The Icon and its story has been featured in Local Newspapers and on BBC Radio Kent. We believe it to be the only such depiction of Blessed Elizabeth Barton in the world. Bishop Starks (mentioned above) blessed the Icon on Easter Day 2008.

In 2010 our Parish was instrumental in opening the “Canterbury Church Shop” a Christian Gift Shop, Bookshop and Church Supply Company. This was situated, first in Orange Street and then moved into nearby Palace Street in the historic ‘Conquest House’. However in December 2014 the shop relocated to Lydd, on the Romney Marsh in Kent and subsequently became internet based. The shop closed in 2022.

 

A New Home

In October 2017, following a lengthy process, the congregation completed the purchase of our very own building, the former Whitehill Methodist Church & Champion Hall, in the village of Painters Forstal, Nr Faversham. The New building is 15 minutes drive from Canterbury.

The purchase was made possible by a generous legacy and the support of a Christian Bank called Kingdom Bank.
Services in Best Lane, Canterbury, ceased on the last Sunday in November with services switching to the Chapel of St Nicholas, Lydd, Kent temporarily.

The Right Revd Damien Mead, the founder of our parish, remains Rector of our Church as well as fulfilling his Diocesan duties as Bishop Ordinary. The Church is also the Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese because it houses Bishop Mead’s ‘Cathedra’ or ‘Throne’.

Service Times

Sunday

11am Sung Mass
   

Major Holy Days

12 noon Low Mass

Holy Days of Obligation

12 noon Mass (Please check latest Sunday Newsheet for information)
Music at St Augustine's

ORGANIST

Mr Louis Collins

Our Organist was appointed on 22nd October 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

CANTOR

We are currently recruiting for this important role within our Church.

 

Notices

– There is a WC in the Fyfe-Graham Room next to the Church.

– Car Parking for 3 cars in front of the Church otherwise free on road car parking (Please be respectful of neighbours drives and property access).

– Rail Stations – Faversham (5 – 10 minute Taxi ride)

– Bus Stop – Outside Church

Outreach & Mission

The Parish takes seriously the need to support other worthy causes and to help those in need. We support the Missionary Society of St Paul, ACC’s outreach and Mission arm which supports projects around the world wide Church. Locally we support various charities including the homeless Charity ‘Porchlight’ in Canterbury.

We also belong to lendwithcare.org and through that organisation support individuals in the developing third world with interest free loans to help them help themselves. You can find out more or perhaps even join us in this endeavour by clicking on the link below:

Help St Augustine’s Church Make a Difference ..

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