History of the Church Into the 21st Century

2000

• New Public address system installed in Church Centre.
• June - First "Thanet Bible Week" held at church. Sermons by Wallace Benn and Brian Edwards.

2001

• June - Rev. John Cheeseman departs to a new calling at Eastbourne.
• Church enters a period of interregnum.
• June - second Bible Week held at the Church with lectures and sermons this year from John Blanchard and Mark Ashton.
• August - constant vandalism necessitated protective screens being erected over the remaining Church windows.

2002

• January - new incumbent announced - Rev. Robert Bashford,
  his wife, Barbara and daughters Rachel and Sarah, arriving in July.
• June - third year of St. James' hosting "Thanet Bible Week."
  The event getting more popular. Lectures and sermons this year
  from Rev. Philip Hacking and Rev. Gwynn Williams.
• 25 July - eleventh Vicar installed - Rev. Robert Bashford.
  The church was packed for this event.

2003

• June - fourth year of "Thanet Bible Week". This year excellent lectures and sermons from
  Rev. Mark Johnson and Rev. Tony Baker.
• St. Jame's church hall annexe at Garlinge given a complete overhall. Some 1.5 tons of rubbish cleared from the grounds.
• A monthly lunch established in the Old School Hall for Garlinge residents.
• An evangelistic epilogue given at the conclusion of each meal.
• A main prayer meeting introduced on the third Wednesday evening of each month.

© St. James' Church, Westgate & Garlinge