Saint Vincent, Dartford

Introduction

Saint Vincent's Church in Dartford is a relatively new parish that traces its origin to the mother church of Saint Anselm's.

History

Before the present church was built, a chapel had existed since 1892, serving the Presentation Brothers and the boys of Saint Vincent's School. The building relies heavily on natural materials such as wood and pebbles, and canals on each side retain rainwater from the steep, slanting roof.

Parish life

The church provides children's liturgies, which enable children to understand the Sunday Mass in line with the liturgy of the day. The parish runs a junior club for children up to age 12 and a youth group from age 13.

The Parish Pastoral Council works alongside the parish priest to identify needs, encourage participation, and support ministries and activities. The church offers a weekly newsletter given out after Mass and also accessible online. The church live streams Mass and other events.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Children in Year 2 attend the Bible Club run by the Parish regularly throughout the year. Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist is carried out by the Parish catechists. The parish has a strong, long-lasting relationship with St Anselm's RC Primary School, enabling School Masses once a month held inside the Parish in which the children participate. Since October 2025, St Vincent's Parish has been forming a new Parish Pastoral Council, which has met four times and has been putting in place a structure to support the life and future of the parish.