The Diocese

St Mary’s is part of the Diocese of Rochester, sharing in the Diocese’s common life, oversight, and mission across north and west Kent and the Medway towns. As a parish church within this wider family, St Mary’s seeks not simply to serve its immediate neighbourhood but to contribute to the Diocese’s larger vision for the flourishing of God’s people and the renewal of the Church’s presence in every community.

The Diocese of Rochester’s vision — ‘Called Together to Grow: Growing Disciples, Enriching Communities, Resourceful Churches’ — shapes the way we understand our calling at St Mary’s. We are committed to growing disciples through faithful worship, thoughtful teaching, and pathways that help people take their next step in faith, whether they are just exploring Christianity or have walked with Christ for many years. We seek to enrich our local community by offering generous hospitality, strong partnerships with schools and community groups, and a church presence that is visible, prayerful, and open. And we aim to be a resourceful church by stewarding our buildings, people, and gifts wisely so that St Mary’s can serve Gravesend sustainably and imaginatively into the future.

In these ways, St Mary’s lives out the diocesan vision locally: rooted in prayer and worship, attentive to the needs of our town, and confident that God is still calling the Church to grow, serve, and bear fruit here in Gravesend.