Trinity Church, Sissinghurst

                                         Rev. Allan Norris, Vicar, also Rector of Frittenden

HISTORY OF  CHURCH                 

• A Chapel of Ease was built in Sissinghurst in 1401 but was closed in 1548. The people of the village had to go to Cranbrook to worship until Trinity Church was built in 1838. The new church was built at the expense of three local residents, the land being given by Lord Cornwallis. In 1973 the benefices of Sissinghurst and Frittenden were united, the parishes retaining their separate organisations. There are 67 on the Electoral Roll.                                            

STYLE OF WORSHIP

• The ethos is evangelical and the worship is “low-church”.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

• Children are welcome at all services.  There is a lively Sunday School and a creche corner for the very young. A Parents and Toddler Group meets from 1-3 each week in term time.  An “all-age” or family service is held monthly.  Children's Day's, open to all, are held several times a year.  children from the Primary School, the Cubs and Brownies, regularly attend special services.

DETAILS OF OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES

• A joint parishes Bible Study is held on Thursday mornings at 9.15am, and a house group meets on Thursday evenings.  There is a monthly Prayer Breakfast at 8.00am on Saturday morning, when prayers are offered for the needs of the parish.  There is also a Prayer Chain for immediate prayer.  The choir participates on the 4th Sunday of the month. Coffee is served every Sunday after the morning service.  There is a prayer chain and the Pastoral team visits sick, elderly and housebound. 

SOCIAL/FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

• A Coffee Morning/Bring and Buy is held monthly to raise money for charities and as a means of outreach to the village.   Other annual activities are: a Harvest Supper, Stewardship Tea, Songs of Praise, Hymns at Tea-Time, TEAR Fund Lunch, New Year's Tea Party for the elderly, Rogation walk and picnic, Carols round the tree and and stalls at the village fete. The Parish Magazine is produced by the church, 230 being printed ten times a year.

LINKS WITH SCHOOLS IN THE PARISH

• Sissinghurst CEP (VA) School is next door to the church, but is soon to move to a new site.  A strong link is maintained. The Vicar takes assembly once a week. The school choir is present at special services.

OVERSEAS LINKS AND PROJECTS

• The church supports CMS, the Leprosy Mission and TEAR Fund, and has a personal link with Dr. Dan and Mrs. Lucy Crowe in Tajikistan.  The church also supports Capt. Graham Nunn of the Church Army with his mission work at home and the Kenward trust in their work with addicts..

LINKS

• The Vicar, the Revd. Allan Norris, is also Rector of Frittenden. There are close ties with St Mary’s Church and there are occasional joint activities.

OPENING TIMES OF CHURCH

• The Church is open daily from 10 am to 3 pm.