Who is actually helping to save this valued institution

One of Rainham’s pride and joys is the glorious Norman church, sat peacefully, “lovingly and prayerfully” overlooking the A2 on the eastern edge of the High Street. Proudly it sits, indestructible in its appearance, squaring up to the intense rain and fierce gales that have battered its every stone since it was built centuries ago. It has seen countless christenings, weddings and funerals. It has been a place for quiet contemplation, where anybody can anonymously seek solace in the forgiveness of our Heavenly Father. Without a doubt, it is a structure of spectacular ancient design, and the silent seed from which Rainham grew.

However, this valued pillar of the community is facing a very real threat of closure, unless £1,000,000 can be found to repair the dangerously decaying roof and supporting structure. Naturally, local Politicians Paul Clark MP and Cllr Rehman Chishti are rallying round to use this to their advantage. So, bearing that in mind, do either of them really care about the Church, or are they more concerned about votes?

Paul Clark spoke in the Commons on Monday (which, I suppose, is an achievement in itself), when he asked the question (truncated for length): “May I draw [Sir Stuart Bell, representing the Churches Commission's] attention to churches such as St. Margaret’s in Rainham parish, where the congregation is valiantly trying to raise more than £1 million to save the building having been turned down by the listed places of worship scheme on a number of occasions? My concern is that churches are still an important cog in the community working on agendas such as antisocial behaviour and helping communities. What steps are the charity commissioners taking to ensure that the Churches are not unduly burdened by the need to save heritage, which thereby displaces their social and community roles?”

Ignoring the obvious failures on the part of the Government to provide for this church in its hour of desperate need, Mr. Clark raised a good point in reminding us all that churches are still an integral part of our society, when you consider that only 7% of legal British citizens are from ethnic minorities and so demands for Mosques and Temples are lower than those of churches. It’s an odd feeling of spirituality, the somewhat flawless persuasion that you are in the House (and thus presence) of God, the moment you enter the building, regardless of size or structure. Without going over the top with my religious beliefs, it was being in the House of God that gave me energy when I needed it most.

The reply from Sir Stuart Bell was less so encouraging. “I am sure that [Mr. Clark] wants to work with us to help us persuade the Government of the need for a more symmetrical balance between the contribution that churches and cathedrals make to their communities, such as that made by St. Margaret’s church Rainham, and the contribution that they receive from public funds.” Put simply, thanks for telling us, but it is the Government’s money and they decide how it is spent. The chances that this will amount to anything, even just the profile it raised with the 40-odd MPs sitting at the time, are then very slim indeed.

Sir Stuart Bell did say, however, that “I wish the community well in its fundraising efforts.” And who is out fundraising? Cllr Rehman Chishti, of course.

Cllr Chishti (Conservative, Gillingham North) has agreed to run the Isle of Wight Half Marathon in August, getting sponsors in order to raise money for this desperately needy, and wholly worthwhile, cause.
Cllr Chishti commented:

St Margaret’s is a really fantastic church and really does do a lot of good work for the community. I hope that I can do my part for the Church and make a positive difference. If people can support me with sponsorship, then that would be wonderful. I would like to thank the Revd. Canon Alan Vousden for his warm welcome and help with my work to get sponsors.

It is clear, then, that in their own unique way, they are both fighting for this Church which means so much to them. In most cases, fights like this are best won by pooling together all resources, and creating a non-partisan campaign to work for the needs of the people, rather than themselves.

Sadly we don’t live in a perfect world.

Quotations from Hansard and the Medway Council Conservative Group website. Anyone wishing to sponsor Reh can do so by emailing him at raychishti@hotmail.com or calling 01634 324849. You can read the Hansard quotation in full here.