St Mary the Virgin, Smeeth, has been awarded the Gold Eco Church Award by A Rocha UK, recognising its deep and sustained commitment to caring for the environment. This achievement follows the parish’s earlier Bronze Award in 2021 and makes it the second church in our diocese to reach Gold, after St Stephen’s, Lympne.
The parish marked the occasion with afternoon tea in its eco-friendly Oak Room, which uses Fairtrade products, recycled supplies, and energy-saving reminders - all part of the church’s mission to reduce its environmental impact.
This award highlights St Mary’s active role in supporting the Church of England’s ambition of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Sustainability has been woven into both church life and community outreach. Annual Lenten Challenges have encouraged greener living through small actions such as walking more, using eco-products, and crafting recycled greeting cards for charitable causes.
Parishioners have also created three themed pew runners from recycled wool, each reflecting key aspects of church life and nature, including swifts and swallows that nest in and around the building.
The churchyard has become a model of biodiversity, featuring bird, bat, and hedgehog boxes, and specially built swift nesting sites. Even slow worms have found a home under the church’s care. Native trees have also been thoughtfully planted to enhance the environment without disturbing graves.
Congregation member Stuart summed up the collective sentiment: “I believe the churchyard has always been a good place for wildlife but, more recently, it is clear that their hard work has produced an area rich in wildlife, and they have managed to preserve a colony of swifts which is resident in the church building which should benefit from the installation of swift nesting boxes.”
Responding to the news of the award, Net Zero Officer, Alyne Godfrey, said: “St Mary’s shows what’s possible when care for creation is taken to heart and lived out through worship, community, and daily choices.
“Their Gold Eco Church Award is a well-deserved recognition of years of thoughtful, practical action from low carbon living to nurturing biodiversity.”
Net Zero Project Manager for the Canterbury and Rochester Dioceses, Catriona Jamieson added: “I am sure this will provide inspiration to other churches in our diocese on their journeys in caring for God's creation.”
As part of the wider Church of England’s ambition to reach net zero carbon by 2030, St Mary’s is an example of what can be achieved when faith and action come together.
Your next steps to net zero carbon
If your parish is interested in exploring what it means to become an Eco Church or in taking practical steps towards net zero, please contact Alyne for guidance and support at netzero@diocant.org
Eco Conference 2025: Celebrating Creation Care – Saturday 4 October 2025
The Canterbury and Rochester joint Eco Conference this year will be at St. Luke’s Church, Maidstone, from 9am–12:30pm.
Be part of a morning of inspiration, collaboration, and action as we celebrate how our churches can care for creation and lead the way towards a sustainable future.
Open to all those interested about environmental stewardship. For more information, contact the Net Zero Team.