Beyond the Sunday service

St Margaret's Church in Rainham aims to become the arts and culture heart of the town.

St. Margaret's Church is one of the most recognisable sights in Rainham, the 800-year-old building centrally located in the town. Now, the church reverend is spearheading a significant cultural initiative to combat what he perceives as 'cultural deprivation' in the area.

St Margaret’s Church in Rainham.

Following an extensive community feedback exercise, the church is rolling out a diverse calendar of arts and cultural events. However, the venture faces stark financial realities and the challenge of attracting audiences.

According to Reverend Nathan Ward, the move into the arts realm was a direct response to community needs identified through community engagement. An initial survey at the start of covid highlighted needs like a food project and a local news operation in the town, both of which the church provided. A more recent survey set out to explore the needs of a post-covid Rainham, which is undergoing significant housing expansion and welcoming more diverse communities.

"Overwhelmingly, people wanted a community cinema, and they wanted arts and cultural events in Rainham," he tells us.