There are two cornerstones, one on each
side of the main entrance door to the church. The one on the left
reads:
This
Memorial
Stone
was laid by the
Admiral
Superintendent
H.M.
Dockyard
Chatham
29th April 1903
The one of the right reads:
This
Memorial
Stone
was laid by
His Worship the
Mayor of
Chatham
Alderman
T.C. Lamb J.P.
on the
29th of April
1903
The AIM
25 website tells us:
"Presbyterian meetings first took
place in Chatham in 1672. Saint Andrew's Presbyterian Church was founded in 1854
on Star Hill. It moved to premises on New Road Avenue in 1862. In 1904 a new
church was constructed. The church is now Saint Andrew's United Reformed Church,
following the merger of the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches in
1972."
Some time after 1972 the church fell
into disrepair and The
King's Church website takes up the story:
"During the charismatic revival in
1977, a small group of people, headed up by Barrie Ribbens and Arthur Bateman,
came together to seek more of God. Having individually experienced the baptism
of the Holy Spirit, they collectively enjoyed fellowship across various homes in
and around the Medway Towns.
Membership numbers began to
increase and in 1984, after much effort and commitment, St. Andrew's
Presbyterian Church on New Road, Chatham, was purchased. The building itself was
completely derelict and had been unused for several years, but upon completion
an entirely new journey began.
Over the next three and a half
years, the huge job of renovation was undertaken. Church members freely gave
their time and talents, rebuilding nearly the entire internal structure as well
as ensuring that the building was externally safe after so long left
unused.
Finally, in 1988 the church was
reopened and rededicated. "King's Church Medway" was officially named as the new
home of what was previously known as the Rochester Christian
Fellowship.
Since the restoration of the new
King's Church Medway building in the late 1980s, many new seasons have passed
and further improvements and refurbishment have occurred. It started around 2009
with the Children's Church obtaining a new reception area and 'The Ark', in the
lowest level of the building, getting a whole new look. Next, new red carpets
made their way throughout the church, walls were re-painted and rooms
re-furnished.
Being faithful in the little things
and doing the best with what you have was, and is, our motivation. We've been
blessed with a sanctuary provided by God and with it, many talents have been
brought forward; the people who paint and build as a trade have continued to
give their time just as they did when this building was first
founded."