St. Peter and St. Paul, Headcorn

Revd. Dr. Brian Curnew, Priest-in-Charge

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH

• The Parish Church is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, and the present building dates back to the 11^th century. The nave of this church was probably on the site of the present chancel, whose north and east walls date from that period. A south aisle, in the area of the present Lady Chapel, was added in the 12^th century. In the 13^th and 14^th centuries, a new nave was constructed, and the present south aisle was added in the early 15^th century. Later in the same century, the tower and south porch were built. The nave roof is an exceptionally fine example with deep mouldings and massive rafters.   
• In addition to the Lady Chapel, there is a small chapel at the west end of the south aisle, dedicated to St. Nicholas.  
• Externally the church is approached through a lychgate, built to commemorate the year 2000, and donated by the people of Headcorn. The avenue of trees along the path were planted for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

STYLE OF WORSHIP

• Traditionally Eucharistic, and with regular services for young people and families. Common worship Order 1 is used.  Christians of all denominations are warmly invited to all services.

YOUTH/CHILDRENS' MINISTRY GROUPS ETC.

• The ‘Sunday Club’ for children up to 11 years, meets on the second and fourth Sundays and joins the main morning service at an appropriate point. 
• The ‘Young People’s Fellowship’ for children over 11 meets on the second Sunday each month, in the evening.  
• 'Sunbeams' meet on first and third Fridays for pre-school children and parents.  

FELLOWSHIP - HOUSE GROUPS, BAPTISM TEAMS ETC

• There is a Ministry Leadership Team, well established and developing. The PCC meet annually on a social basis, and also occasionally for a day of reflection away from the regular parish business.
  A Parish Retreat Day is arranged each summer.
• There are house groups during Lent each year, and a bible study group throughout the year. A Ministry house group meets regularly. Another house group meets regularly to arrange events of a social nature, to promote fellowship, and carry out various practical tasks. 
• Members of the young people's groups attend all baptisms (if not in a main Sunday service), to represent the congregation. 

DETAILS OF OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES 

• The Church has an active bellringing band, whose practice night is Thursday, and also a choir, led by a choirmaster.  The choir practice is on Friday evenings.  The Headcorn Parish Magazine, produced and published by Headcorn Parish Church, acts as a strong link with the community, with regard to both content and distribution.

SOCIAL/FUNDRAISING/FRIENDS

• The Friends of Headcorn Parish Church has a membership which extends beyond the worshipping congregation and raises funds to care for maintenance and improvements to the fabric of the Church.

LINKS WITH SCHOOLS

• Regular contact is maintained with the village primary school, and a good relationship exists. They hold regular services in the Church. There are no secondary schools on the parish.

OVERSEAS LINKS

• The Church has a link with SAMS, the South American Missionary Society, and through them supports financially a husband and wife missionary team in Lima, Peru.

AFFILIATION/LINKS TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS/CHURCHES

• Headcorn Parish is grouped with the three Suttons parishes, Sutton Valence, Chart Sutton and East Sutton.  The Priest-in-Charge at Headcorn Vicarage is responsible for all four parishes.
• We enjoy a good and co-operative relationship with the other three churches in Headcorn, Roman Catholic, Baptist and Methodist. The ‘Churches Together in Headcorn committee meets regularly to arrange shared worship and events.

OPENING TIMES OF THE CHURCH

• The Parish Church is open every day until after Evening Service, weekdays and weekends.