About
Heart of Harty
A warm welcome to St Thomas the Apostle, Harty, part of the Parish of Eastchurch with Leysdown and Harty, on the eastern side of the Isle of Sheppey in Kent.
St Thomas is a beautiful and historic Church of England parish church, standing at the heart of Harty and welcoming local residents, visitors and those exploring this quieter corner of the Island.
Our sister church, All Saints, Eastchurch, is around 15 minutes away. St Thomas is also a lovely place to visit while walking or cycling the Isle of Harty Trail.
We usually celebrate Parish Mass at 12.30pm on the first Sunday of each month, alongside additional services and special occasions throughout the year. Please see the calendar for the latest service times and events.
Our worship follows the catholic tradition of the Church of England. This is reflected in the way we celebrate the Eucharist, with reverence and ceremony. Holy Communion is at the heart of our worship, as we gather together around the altar to receive the consecrated bread and wine.
Whether you live locally, are visiting Harty, exploring the countryside or simply looking for somewhere to worship, you are very warmly invited to join us.
St Thomas Church, Harty
Meet the Team
Meet the key people involved in St Thomas the Apostle Harty
Sue Hopper
Sue is the churchwarden of St Thomas', responsible for looking after the church. She is also the chair of the Parochial Church Council.
Yvette Gutheil
Yvette is the churchwarden for All Saints Church. She is also responsible for the organising of Baptisms and Parish Safeguarding Lead.
Joseph Fowler
Joseph is the Parish Administrator. He is responsible for the oversight to all Life Events that take place in the Parish.
School Partnerships
Our parish partners with Eastchurch CofE Primary School and St Clement CofE Primary School, fostering a close connection between the schools and the church. Regular visits, assemblies, and celebrations create a sense of belonging and deepen students’ understanding of the Christian faith.
Both schools actively integrate Christian values into their curriculum and school life. These values, chosen collaboratively by students, staff, and governors, promote qualities like kindness, respect, and compassion. They serve as the foundation for character development and are woven into various subjects, including RE.
Harty Flower Festival
The Harty Flower Festival is a much-loved fixture in the Isle of Sheppey calendar, bringing together local people, visitors and small businesses from across the island.
Held each year on the first weekend of July, the festival is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Harty, visit the church and support local businesses and organisations.
Please come along and support the festival! If you would like to have a stall at the festival, we would be delighted to hear from you — simply get in touch with us for more information.
Harty Flower Festival
Safeguarding
IF YOU THINK SOMEONE IS AT IMMEDIATE RISK OF HARM PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE BY DIALLING 999.
At St Thomas’ Church, we are dedicated to ensuring the safeguarding, wellbeing, and growth of all in our church community. We are also committed to fostering a supportive atmosphere where all individuals, particularly those who may be vulnerable, can worship and pursue their spiritual path in a secure and nurturing environment.
Our Parish Safeguarding lead is Yvette Gutheil, All Saints Churchwarden. Please contact Yvette with any Safeguarding concerns that you may have. Our Safeguarding policy and risk assessments can be found on our policies page.
For more information and useful contacts, visit the Diocese of Canterbury safeguarding page.
FAQs
Learn more about our Church and Sunday service
We are a diverse community consisting of ordinary individuals from various age groups, backgrounds, and nationalities. Despite our differences, we are united by a common objective: to delve into the teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible. During our gatherings, we attentively listen to the biblical messages and strive to incorporate them into our lives, recognising that we may not always succeed perfectly in doing so.
Absolutely! The Good News of Jesus Christ is for all people. In our meetings, we welcome everyone, whatever their beliefs or questions. We will do all we can to help you discover the best news in the world.
When you arrive you’ll receive a service sheet that shows what happens when. No one is put on the spot or told to do or say anything they feel uncomfortable with. During the service, we sing, listen to the Bible read out loud and explained, and sometimes read as a group. Someone at the front will lead us in prayer but you will never have to say or sing anything that you don’t yourself believe in.
There is no dress code – wear whatever you’d like.
No. Regular members do give money to the church, but newcomers and those who are not Christians are encouraged not to give anything.
This is parking outside the front of Harty Church. Please park responsibly on the verges around the church. Please do not park in front of access gates or driveways.
Yes! We love having children with us. Every service is for all ages, young and old alike.
We understand that they don’t always find it easy to sit still or stay quiet! The first part of each service is very child friendly with a kids’ song and a short talk. Thereafter, DBS-checked church volunteers run a full Sunday school for children aged 0 – 11 on most Sundays. If you would rather stay with your child, we have a well-equipped (and soundproof!) creche room where you can take your baby/toddler. The room has a sound relay so you can follow the service.
Typically a Sunday Service will last around an hour.
If you are interested in joining the church the best place to start is by coming on a Sunday. Please introduce yourself to one of our ministers: they would love to meet you and can then talk about how you might be involved, and answer your questions.