Welcome to Gravesend Methodist Church
Dene Holm Church
Dene Holm Road,
Northfleet, Kent
Sunday
Services:
11
a.m. Morning Worship
4.30 p.m. Afternoon Worship
Marriages & Baptism by appointment
Our History…
In
the years following World War II, the area around Dene Holm was open fields and
farmland.
There was a desperate shortage of housing and in the 50s plans were put
into effect to build what is now called the Painters Ash Estate.
In those plans a plot was set aside for “a church”, with the
condition that it be a multi-purpose building which could be used as a community
hall.
Some
local Methodists, mostly members at Wood Street Methodist Chapel in Northfleet,
already lived in the area by that time and had set up a worship group in Shears
Green.
They, together with other people from the local Methodist Circuit, went
forward in faith and determination to build Dene Holm Methodist Church.
The grand opening was in September 1958, with the congregation marching
down from Shears Green to the dedication service in the church.
Over
the years there have been ups and downs in membership numbers, and on one
occasion (or maybe more) it was feared that the church would have to be closed
for lack of support;
but God was good, and sent people to swell the congregation again.
More recently, discussions have been initiated between the Methodists and
Anglicans from All Saints’ in Perry Street, with a view to setting up a Local
Ecumenical Partnership and the exciting possibility of a Community Church at
Dene Holm.
In
the year 2000, our Millennium project was to make the building more recognisable,
from the road, as a church.
A simple oak cross was erected on the front wall between the windows, and
is illuminated from behind at night.
Many people have commented how good it looks, and indeed does the job
intended by marking the hall as a Christian place of worship.
We also have a Millennium Yew, a cutting from a Kentish yew tree proved
to be over 2000 years old, and therefore living at the time of Christ.
It is very small at present, but with God’s help it will flourish.
There
is still hope in the hearts of those involved at Dene Holm that one day we will
build a “proper church” on the land to the west of the present hall.
However, it is the people who make a Church, not the building – as
Jesus said, “wherever two or more people are gathered in my name, I will be
there also.”
Our Mission…
Build up the Church in Faith and Commitment
§
Nurture of
people within the Church by means of worship, fellowship/study groups, and
pastoral care.
Continue and Develop Service and Outreach to the
Local Community
§
Support and
encourage local young people through contact in J Club, Guides and Brownies,
Pre-School, and the local primary school.
§
Develop and
maintain contact with families on the periphery of the church
Circuit Links
§
Take an
interest and support the activities of other churches within the Kent Thameside
Methodist Circuit
Ecumenical Links
§
To be
represented in the Ebbsfleet Covenant of Churches and be part of the exciting
developments taking place in that area.
§
To maintain
our close links with All Saints’ Church in Perry Street, and continue
discussions with regard to setting up a Local Ecumenical Partnership.
Activities
at Dene Holm:
Fellowship Groups
Bible
study and prayer groups meet regularly. Your
presence would be valued.
Details in our church magazine.
Wednesday Pop-in
1st
& 3rd Wednesday, 2 -4 p.m.
Come
in for a chat and a cuppa
Everyone
welcome!
Brownies
Two
Brownie Packs meet at Dene Holm:
4th
Gravesend Brownies
Tuesdays
from 5.45 to 7.15 p.m.
5th
Gravesend Brownies
Mondays
from 5.45 to 7.15 p.m.
The
Guides meet at Kipling Hall and join us for Church Parade, usually on the 3rd
Sunday morning of the month.
For
more details please see the notice board in the porch
Scallywags Too
Pre-School
at Dene Holm
9.15
– 11.45 a.m.
each
morning
Other Activities:
Purely Slimming
Mondays
Tai Chi
Tuesdays
Line Dancing
Wednesdays
Weight
Watchers Fridays
Details on the notice board in the porch
Your contacts…
Senior
Steward: Ian Angel
Stewards:
Olga Atkinson
June Povey
Bookings
Secretary:
Sylvia Angel
Treasurer: Brian Laws
Magazine Editor: Bob Hawkins