A huge wooden cross that stood proudly on top of a Chatham church for almost 60 years has been taken down.

The weather has finally taken its toll on the cross, which has been a familiar landmark for generations of worshippers and
passers-by alike in Maidstone Road.

The large oak cross on top of the bell tower at St Stephen’s Church is no more.

Dry rot on the lower part of the cross forced its removal for safety reasons.

The church, at Huntsman’s Corner, was built in 1959 in the typical style of the period, when the ecclesiastical district became a parish in its own right.

The present St Stephen’s parish was formed out of St John’s parish, Chatham, in the same year the church was built.

Planning for a church hall to serve the southern part of St John’s parish, Chatham, seems to have begun in 1932, according to records.

This culminated in a church hall, built in 1935 in nearby Wallace Road, which functioned as a mission hall in St John’s parish until 1938.

The hall then became a district church serving an ecclesiastical district within St John’s parish and was known as St Stephen’s Church.

A huge crane was brought in last Tuesday to lift the massive structure down from the top of the bell tower and lower it slowly down to the ground.

According to the congregation, which has now launched a fund-raising drive to replace the cross, it was not only a symbol of the church faith but, in the evening when lit up, was a well-known local landmark.

Church warden Keith Price thinks it will be missed by people passing the area at night.

Mr Price said: “We intend to replace the cross as soon as possible. Now the old cross has been safely removed, we shall be obtaining quotes to make and erect a new one.

“The cost is thought to be in the region of £7,000 – we are organising an appeal to raise money.”

n If you would like to help out with the fundraising drive, call the parish office on 01634 830788 or email parishofststephen@talktalkbusiness.net