2021 has been a year of new beginnings as the building and the people of St John’s Chatham have taken significant steps forward as part of the Diocese of Rochester and the Church of England’s long commitment to re-establish a community here. These plans fit alongside Medway Council’s own regeneration agenda for Chatham Town Centre.
Although this large Waterloo Church has stood empty and seemingly lifeless for almost 25 years, on Easter Sunday 2021 the church was able to open its doors for the first Easter Service in the building in over a generation. Since that day a growing and diverse group of people have met for worship each Sunday.
Over the past few years the building has required considerable work to allow for its safe use, and although a more comprehensive reordering is planned in the future, the installation of a toilet and kitchenette in the first part of this year have enabled a number of other activities and events to begin or return to the building. It was significant that the reopening of the building, the growth of community and the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions allowed for the celebration of the 200th Anniversary of
St John’s Chatham in September 2021: a brilliant opportunity to welcome the wider community to reconnect with the church with a weekend of celebratory events where the building welcomed around four hundred guests.
Return to the building has also marked a new season for the Medway Centre of Mission with the Sunday afternoon Medway Oaks community continuing to thrive. While 2021 has been an important year, it is recognised that it is still early on in the long-term vision of restoration and growth of St John’s Chatham as a hub of community and mission.
The Rev Martyn Saunders says, “We are hugely grateful for the tenacity and faithfulness of the small group who have persevered over the last few years, as well as for the prayer and support of the wider Diocese of Rochester family. “