St. Thomas of Canterbury, Canterbury

Introduction

Saint Thomas of Canterbury Church in Canterbury, within the Archdiocese of Southwark, is a Gothic-style church designed by local architect John Green Hall and opened in 1875. The church was completed in 1875 and inaugurated on 13th April 1875, with Cardinal Manning preaching the first sermon.

History

The Catholic Mission in Canterbury was re-established in 1750 by the Hales family of Hackington. Catholic worship in Canterbury was re-established in 1855 when Mary Ann Wood gifted a house at 60 Burgate Street to provide a home for a priest.

Around 1870, Father Richard Power arrived in Canterbury and his enthusiasm enabled the church and a new parish school to be built. The church was extended in 1963 with the addition of a Church Hall above and extended sacristies with a Parish Meeting Room above them. The church is the home of the Diocesan Shrine with relics of St Thomas of Canterbury and St Oscar Romero.

Parish life

The parish serves 700-800 parishioners and visitors from all over the world. The parish has a Legion of Mary. The parish has a Polish Community in Kent. The parish has a Canterbury Filipino Society.

The parish has a Children’s Liturgy Group. The parish has a Sacristan Ministry. The parish has Flower Arranging.

The parish runs a preparation session for parents once a month. The nearest public car park is Queningate, and a dedicated disabled car park for blue badge holders is directly opposite the church on Iron Bar Lane.