From 'Little Westminster' to Westminster Abbey

On Bank Holiday Monday 4th May 2015 a group from St Mary's will be undertaking an 18-mile walk from Stone, near Dartford, in Kent to Westminster Abbey.  We are raising funds for our Church Room Appeal. Thanks to the amazing generosity of our small congregation and many church friends we have raised £78,000 in three years. We now need to raise another £22,000 to complete the start-up funding and commence Phase 1 of the project. Please sponsor us if you are able - many thanks! If you would like to join the walk please contact us on 07885109384. Follow our progress on the day via Twitter @stmarystone

Why are we walking to Westminster Abbey?

St Mary’s has a fascinating connection with Westminster Abbey. When Henry III [1216–1272] rebuilt Westminster Abbey no expense was spared by the king. It was fortunate for Stone that the king was so extravagant because when lack of funds caused work to slow at Westminster in the mid-1260s, it is apparent that some of the masons were employed to undertake the rebuilding of the earlier Stone Church. Visitors to St Mary's will see finely carved wall acarding in the chancel using stone from the Gatton quarries near Reigate. This is exactly the same as that to be seen in Westminster Abbey for identical arcades in the eastern chapels around the shrine of St Edward The Confessor. Although it is clear that the same masons produced both sets of carving, opinion is divided as to whether the Stone carvers were actually on site or simply sent their work downriver from Westminster by barge. This intriguing history led to St Mary’s nickname ‘Little Westminster’!  

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate.