St Matthew's Church, Borstal

24/08/2026

19/08/2026

https://www.kentrideandstride.co.uk/

St Matthew’s will be taking part in Ride & Stride on Saturday 12 September 2026.
The church will be open from 10am-4pm to welcome riders, striders, supporters and visitors.

We are delighted that Kate is doing her sponsored walk again this year. Her amazing efforts have supported St Matthew’s and the Friends of Kent Churches so generously in previous years.

Ride & Stride Day is an opportunity to raise money for Kent’s churches and chapels by  cycling or walking or being a welcomer in a church or chapel.  Money raised is shared equally between the church or chapel nominated by the participant and the Friends of Kent Churches which awards grants to K...

19/08/2026

https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/st-matthew-s-church-borstal.html

Welcome to St Matthews Church in Borstal during the Heritage Open Days.

St Matthew’s Church, Borstal is a historic Victorian church, built in 1879 to serve the expanding local cement-working population. Inside the church, you can see the unique sanctuary lights known as the ’Seven Lamps of Damascus’.

These were brought by churchwarden and war artist Donald Maxwell. He visited Straight Street in Damascus in 1912 and ordered the hand-crafted lamps. World War I broke out before Maxwell could collect them and the brass worker hid them under his floorboards throughout the conflict. Maxwell returned to Damascus in 1920 and found the brass worker alive and well. He refused to take any money from Maxwell as he was a Christian and the lamps were to come back to the UK to go in a church. The lamps were dedicated at St Matthew’s in 1920 to the memory of Victor Morgan and Luke Taylor, two of Maxwell’s friends who died in the war.

The church will also be welcoming Kent Ride and Stride participants:

Timings
Saturday 12 September
10.00-16.00
Tuesday 15 September:
10.00-12.00
Thursday 17 September:
10.00-12.00
Sunday 20 September:
10.00-13.00

St Matthew’s Church, Borstal is a historic Victorian church, built in 1879 to serve the expanding local cement-working population. Inside the church, you can see the unique sanctuary lights known as the ’Seven Lamps of Damascus’.

13/08/2026

The prayer, written by a gap-year student when receiving her own results was still fresh in her mind. Copied from the Church of England website.

Jesus,
Keep reminding me of the bigger picture over the next few weeks,
Keep me in your hands when all other hands disappear,
For I am convinced that neither entry requirements nor exam results,
neither anticipation nor doubts, neither success nor failure, nor any expectations,
neither last minute fears nor anxieties, nor anything else in life, will be able to separate
us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Please, don't let me forget it!
Amen

25/07/2026

All are welcome. There will be tea and biscuits after the service.

11/07/2026

21/06/2026

This Sunday, our Communion Service will be led by Rev. Mark Ball.

As we gather for worship and fellowship, we will also give thanks and celebrate Father's Day, honouring fathers, grandfathers, and all those who provide love, guidance, and support in our lives.

Following the service, there will be light refreshments and an opportunity to spend time together.

Everyone is warmly welcome. We look forward to seeing you.

09/06/2026

Thinking about a baptism, christening, wedding or funeral?
St Matthew’s Borstal is here for all your life events.

If you’d like to start or continue your family tradition with us, just fill in the enquiry form on our website and we’ll be in touch to discuss everything with you.

🔗 https://stmatthewsborstal.org/life-events/