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As the congregation continued to
grow, the first mission priest, Fr Eugene O’Sullivan, launched a
building fund for a new church in 1899. The congregation was
poor and so he made numerous international appeals. The
foundation stone was laid by Bishop Bourne on 26 June 1901 who
put the church under the patronage of Blessed (St) John Fisher.
In March 1902 Fr O’Sullivan placed the cross on top of the
tower. The church was opened and consecrated on 27 August 1902,
after Fr O’Sullivan had requested a delay which would allow him
to clear the outstanding debt. The architect was William Leonard
Grant and the builder Mr E. Bishop, both of Sittingbourne. The
stonework was by Messrs Millen & Christfield. Grant consulted Dr
Francis Grayling, a local physician and expert on Gothic
architecture, about the design. The west front was based on that
of the medieval church of St Mary at Nun Monkton, North
Yorkshire. The organ was built by Mr H. Fagg of Canterbury.
In 1905 a chime of eight bells was installed, cast by Felix
Aerschodt of Louvain. During the First World War, the mechanical
ringing device was abandoned and the chime converted to manual
ringing.
Love's
Guide to the Church Bells of Kent website advises:
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