Independence And The Millennium Project
Archdeacon Mason was incumbent at St Luke's on a half-time basis, allowing him time for his
demanding archdeaconry duties. Given the small size of the Conventional District this was
understandable. But the congregation of St Luke's was drawn far more widely across the town
than just from the few streets which made up the Conventional District. When, therefore, he
retired in 1995, a welcome decision was taken which went against the usual trend in clergy
numbers. The new incumbent would be full-time. Furthermore the last remaining links with St
Mary, Kippington, would be cut and St Luke's would become a wholly independent parish.
Thus the Rev. Robert Chavner was on 17th July 1996 installed as minister of the Conventional
District, like his three predecessors, and then a fortnight later the new parish came into
existence and St Luke's was raised to the status of a parish church. He was inducted as the
first vicar on 18th October, the Feast of St Luke. During the interregnum, the church officers
had been required to produce for the Bishop a statement of the needs of the parish, which
would help them in choosing a new incumbent. In addition to finding an incumbent who would
'give a lead when St Luke's became a parish', the parish representatives asked for 'someone
who would face the problem of needing to expand a small church building', would 'increase the
number of young families in the congregation' and would 'encourage St Luke's to serve the
town as a whole in whatever ways seemed possible'.
Thus a new chapter opened not only for the congregation of St Luke's but for its buildings as
well. For the efficient running of a modern parish there was need for an office; to cater for small
group meetings a parish room was required; and to comply with new legislation the needs of
the disabled had to be addressed. Richard Mason had foreseen something of these
requirements and at his death in 1997, after a long illness, he bequeathed to the incumbent
and churchwardens £10,000, which provided an encouraging foundation for fundraising.
But the main impetus came from Robert Chavner's determination that there should be a
Millennium Project, to celebrate the opening of the third millennium after Christ's birth. So in
October 1998 the project was launched and an architect appointed.
The architect chosen was Malcolm Green, of the partnership Malcolm and Linda Green of
South Darenth, who had considerable experience of working on church development projects
in Rochester diocese. The scheme which he presented to the parish in February 1999 was
adopted and in due course executed with only minor modifications.
Fundraising occupied much of the next two years, for it was necessary to raise over £300,000
to construct and equip the new building. Members of the congregation contributed nearly half
that sum both directly and through more than ninety events, large and small. Over £40,000
came from charitable trusts and local and national businesses. In recognition of the benefit of
the project to the wider community, and to fund facilities for the disabled, the Government and
the local authority also contributed substantially, in particular £91,000 from the Community
Fund, matching the total then raised by the parish. Further large contributions came under the
Landfill Tax Credit Scheme and from Sevenoaks District Council.
The builders, Epps Construction of Ashford, carried out the project in eight months. As in 1903,
a 'time-capsule' was placed in the foundations, containing a newspaper, copies of the parish
magazine and the brochure 'Vision 2001', a £2 coin and a set of stamps commemorating
Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. The completed building was dedicated by the Bishop of
Rochester on the Sunday nearest to St Luke's Day, October 2002.
The new facilities consist of two parts, one at the front of the hall, the other at the back. The
hall porch has been enlarged to provide a new parish office with direct access into both church
and hall, and the porch is approached by both steps and a permanent brick-paved ramp for
disabled access. The rear of the hall has been completely remodelled. Now at last direct
access from church to hall has been achieved, by means of a spacious internal lobby. The
former choir vestry has been enlarged into a parish room, where small church meetings can
take place and which can also be hired to other organizations. The choir have a new upstairs
vestry, accessible by stairs and lift for the disabled. The new toilets include one for the disabled
and changing facilities for babies. Storage space has been increased and reorganized. Finally,
the hall and kitchen have been redecorated and the stage removed to give more space in the
hall.
The Millennium was celebrated in one further way. The bell installed on the south-east gable of
the church had long disappeared, so it was decided to replace it. A second-hand bell was
acquired and hung in time to ring in the millennium. Like all bells, it was given a name: 'Kelsey-
Gordon', combining the surname of the builder who hung it and the Christian name of the
church member who master-minded its hanging. So in the 21st century everyone who lives in
St. Luke's parish can hear Kelsey-Gordon tolling daily, before every service said or sung in the
church.
The Parish Church Of St Luke, 30 Eardley Road, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN13 1XT Tel 01732 743045 Charity Reg. No:- 1127331
