Welcome to the Trinity Benefice situated on the beautiful Southeast coast of Kent, A three church Benefice covering the west of artistic Folkestone and the charming village of Sandgate

All three churches have their own style of worship, coming together on the fifth Sunday of the month. Each church has a spirit of generous hospitality and buildings in daily community use with scope for development of individuals, groups and community links.

As a benefice, we seek to provide a welcome and to offer opportunities for all from any church tradition or none. As you may see, services in the benefice range from Sung Eucharist to non-liturgical, from holding hymnbooks to using PowerPoint, from traditional Cathedral style worship to less formal Cafe Church.  Whatever labels might be used, our focus is always the same: to grow in our relationship with God, to show Jesus to the world, and our unity in Christ both within and beyond the Benefice.

The oldest of our church buildings is St. Paul’s in Sandgate, which dates from 1849. The building started life as a small Episcopal Chapel built by the Earl of Darnley in 1822 and is located in an elevated position on Sandgate Hill. A Friendly, worshipful church, with music led by the organist, its services are live-streamed, and prayer is at the heart of our life . It is a Grade II Victorian building with a hall that is in regular use. 

Moving up the hill towards Folkestone town centre, you will find a beautiful Grade II* listed Major Parish Church plus hall. The church is our 2nd oldest building and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It dates back to 1868 when the Earl of Radnor pursued his elaborate plans for the development of the West End of Folkestone. It is a vast Gothic Victorian building with an unusual octagonal tower. A traditional church, with a robed choir, sacramental worship with traditional hymns and a strong choral ethos which transfers into traditions of the church.

The youngest of our churches is St George’s in West Folkestone. This can easily be found, situated opposite the newly refurbished Folkestone West railway station. The church was opened in 1938 originally as the daughter church of Holy Trinity. It acquired its own status as a parish and was enlarged in 1968 and 1982 to serve the growing population. This late 20th-century flexible building has side rooms and uses chairs. It is Intergenerational and inclusive, with young people with special needs who help in services and some elderly members with dementia. Worship is band-led worship songs with PowerPoint slides projected on a big screen, no books or robes.

We are a thriving community welcoming baptisms, weddings, concerts and many other special events throughout the year.  Having a great selection of services, groups and other activities means that we are confident we can cater for almost any tastes.