St George's Church, in the middle of Gravesend, celebrated its 275th anniversary last month. CHARLOTTE MCDONALD looks back at its uncertain past.
THE 18th-century church which makes such an impact on the Gravesend skyline is the main parish church today, but it was not always so.
A licence to worship was given to the first church built on the site in 1497.
But 1617 marks one of its greatest claims to fame - it is the final resting place of Pocahontas, who was a native American who married an Englishman and travelled to England from Virginia, USA.
On her way back from visiting the court of James I, she became sick on the boat and died while passing Gravesend. She was buried at the nearest church, which was St George's.
Unfortunately, that church was destroyed by fire in 1727 and no-one now knows the exact spot of her burial.
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It looked as though St George's Church, Church Street, was lost, but the parishioners worked hard to raise funds and a new church was constructed by 1733.
The Rector of St George's, Canon Chris Stone, said: "In just six years, the parish turned the ruins of their church into what is today a very special and well-loved Gravesend landmark."
Canon Chris Stone with Bishop of Tonbridge The Right Reverend Dr Brian Castle
In the 1950s, the future of the church was threatened again when the Church of England decided there were too many churches.
St George's was put out of use and St James' Church was the main CofE church in the centre of town.
Canon Stone said: "The story goes that in the 1950s, one man decided to sell his house and asked the bishop if he could make a flat in the disused church so he could look after the
upkeep of the building."
By the 1970s it was discovered St James' had a structural fault rendering it dangerous and so St George's came back into use as the parish church of Gravesend.
Canon Stone said: "We pray that, as the plans for redevelopment of the town centre continue to take shape, the church will remain at the heart and soul of its community.
"This year, we look forward to reaching out to our neighbours here in the centre of town and to welcoming many people to all the events which are being planned."
A series of special events is planned for the year, including a flower festival, a summer fair and, in the autumn, a celebration of the 50th
anniversary of the Pocahontas statue being
unveiled in St George's Churchyard.
During the year, there will also be a performance of a new anniversary composition by Alan Vincent, director of the Gravesham Choral Society.
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