Approximately 9,000 people live in the area covered by the seven parish churches of Addington, Birling, Leybourne, Offham, Ryarsh, Trottiscliffe and West Malling. Because the Church of England is an ‘established’ church, it means that every single one of those people can ask for the church’s help when it comes to important moments in life.
This section of our website is a first port-of-call hub if you are considering arranging a christening, a wedding or a funeral.
Baptism and Thanksgiving
In baptism, parents thank God for his gift of life, make a decision to start the child on the journey of faith, and ask for the Church’s support. Thanksgiving services are an alternative option that, like baptism, have that element of welcome and celebration and thankfulness but make no big promises as to whether the child will be raised in the Christian faith.
You can find out more about how you can arrange a baptism or a thanksgiving, seek answers to your questions or consider what options might be appropriate for you in the Baptism section of our website.
Weddings
Today more than a quarter of all marriages in England take place before God in the traditional setting of a Church of England church. You’re welcome to marry in church whatever your beliefs, whether or not you are baptised and whether or not you go to church.
We are blessed to look after seven beautiful ancient church buildings that provide sacred and romantic settings for your wedding to take place. You can find out more about who can marry here, how it all works, answers to your questions and how much it costs in the Wedding section of our website.
Funerals
A funeral marks the close of a human life on earth. It is the opportunity for friends and family to express their grief, to give thanks for the life which has now completed its journey in this world and to seek God’s comfort together.
We have seven open Churchyards and we regularly host funeral services, burials, services followed by cremations, or the interment of ashes. Find out a little about how we can help you in the Funeral section of our website.