Sandwich St. Mary’s Community Trust (SSMCT)

Sandwich St. Mary’s Community Trust (SSMCT) is a charity registered in September 1997 – aims to develop St Mary’s as an Arts Centre for use by the community for leisure and recreation and for the better enjoyment of music and the arts to the benefit of the people of Sandwich and the surrounding areas of East Kent.

SSMCT works in partnership with CCT and other local bodies to improve the facilities over time and in the last few years has raised funds to provide chairs and tables, new lighting, a mobility ramp, a “green”/changing room, toilets, kitchen facilities and heating plus a large demountable stage in conjunction with the Sandwich Festival Association.

Currently SSMCT is working with CCT to substantially upgrade the kitchen, toilets and green room to improve the offering further.

The Churches Conservation Trust
St. Mary’s, one of three Mediaeval churches in the conservation heart of Sandwich, dates from at least the 11th century.

This unusual and lovely Grade1 listed building remains a consecrated church under the auspices of The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) a national body which cares for several hundred churches across the country which are of national importance for their historic and architectural value.

Thus St Mary’s lives on into the 21st century and beyond. For a building that has suffered various disasters in its life including being sacked by French invaders, partially collapsing after an earthquake and almost being demolished altogether in the 1950’s the future now looks secure. It was rescued and restored after each disaster by the people of Sandwich and the trustees and management committee of St Mary’s Arts Centre together with the many Friends of St Mary’s are dedicated to maintaining that fine tradition.

Today St. Mary’s Arts Centre offers an ideal venue for performances, concerts, recitals, special celebration or other events.