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Church of England: All Saints Church, Church Road, Hartley
All Saints' Church, Hartley
Hartley parish church is first mentioned in 1115, but almost certainly existing in Anglo-Saxon times.
Much of the building is Norman, probably of about 1100 date, with c13th additions.
There were substantial alterations in the c19th when the east and west walls were rebuilt.
Of particular architectural interest is the door which is Norman or possibly even Anglo-Saxon - a fine example of the local blacksmith's art,
and the the scratch clock on the south wall. The Churchyard is full and now closed to new burials and now maintained by the parish council.
A history guide is available from the Friends of All Saints'. The Church is open during the day.
All Saints' Church: Norman Door
In 1983 Hartley Parish was united with the neighbouring parish of Fawkham as a united benefice.
The right of presentation (that is to appoint a new rector) of the rector alternates between the
Bishop of Rochester and the Dean and Chapter of Rochester Cathedral.
In 2012 the church was extended to include a kitchen, toilets and additional seating space.
Service Times (Church Website)
Roman Catholic: St Francis de Sales Church
Probably one of the most original RC churches in the country, which has just celebrated its centenary. It was once a barn
attached to the neighbouring Middle Farm, which was converted into a church by the owner Miss Beatrice Davies-Cooke in 1913.
It is mainly timber and thatch, with a modern extension to the south.
A history and guide is available in the Church. The Church is open during the day.
Location Map (Google)
Service Times (Church Website)
Father Hugh's history of the church (Archive.org Website)
Contacts and Information (Church Website)
Hartley United Reformed Church
Former United Reformed Church, Ash Road, Hartley
Hartley United Reformed Church was founded in 1927 as a Congregational Church. Their church opened on 15 September 1934.
Rev Kenward said at its opening "The Church was being built not only for Congregationalism,
but for something that mattered far more than that - the Kingdom of God". The church building closed in 2009 to be replaced
by housing, but the church lived on, with their congregation worshipping at All Saints' Church.
Usually one service a month was led by the URC minister. Sadly in 2016 they took the decision to close as a worshipping congregation.
Hartley was part of the URC North Kent Group, which also has churches at Gravesend and Northfleet, together with a former
church at Southfleet.
Ash Chapel, Chapelwood Road, Ash
The nearest evangelical chapel is based in Chapelwood Road. They were founded in 1843 as a Baptist Chapel, but sometime after the war became an independent evangelical church.
They also run the Glad Tidings Secondhand Bookshop, which used to be based in the URC Church Hall in Hartley.