SANDWICH URC

Sandwich is an historic rural town with a population of just under six thousand. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, until 2011, has been the main employer but now that it has amalgamated with other companies and considerably reduced its work force in Sandwich the site has become, with the backing of local MP’s, an Enterprise Zone. There is much interest in the site and we are hoping that it will bring much needed prosperity to the town.

The Church is situated in the town centre and has been on the present site since before 1643 and was rebuilt in 1706. The halls at the back of the church were sold and demolished in the early 1960’s and at this time a new floor was installed, the pews removed and the pulpit lowered making room for a multifunctional space. Under the auspices of English Heritage and with grants from other charitable organisations, too, the main fabric of the building was restored in 2006/07 at a cost of approx £200,000

Sandwich is a market town and we open our doors on Market Days to welcome people with coffee and a chance to meet with their friends. There is a weekly Bible Study Group meets on monday mornings at 10.00am. The Sandwich Music Group rehearses once a week (the church is renowned for its wonderful acoustics) and perform charitable concerts. Other voluntary organisations in the town also meet at the church eg. Singing for Life, Sandwich Music Group

Sandwich has a population which includes retired people, weekenders and golfers as we have several major golf courses in the vicinity. Not least the Royal St Georges course which is sometimes used for the British Open.

Sandwich is also served by a Roman Catholic Church (St Andrew’s) and by the Church of England (St. Clement’s). St Andrews is served by a priest from Deal and the Rector at St. Clement’s also has a family outreach project The Carpenter’s Arms which meets at the Phoenix Centre in Sandwich. The relationship between the churches is very good and all participate in Churches Together in Sandwich holding several events throughout the year.

There are two redundant churches in the parish, originally parish churches when Sandwich had three parishes. St Mary’s and St Peter’s are both used for community events.

We share Ministry as part of the Canterbury and Sandwich pasorate

The strength of the congregation is that it is a close knit community where everyone knows each other and has a friendly welcome to all visitors to the town.

We are somewhat limited in our activities by the age of our members/congregation but we do not see that as a problem.