Once a tin tabernacle on the edge of Kettering, St. Michael and All Angels Church was founded in 1908 as a mission church.

After a major interior refurbishment nearly a decade ago, the church experienced a revival. The average age of the congregation almost halved, and its size grew as it became a true “community for the community.”

The church has a relaxed, inclusive attitude toward children, who are encouraged to take communion and participate as servers or sidespeople. A Sunday Club runs alongside the main service, and once a month, uniformed youth organisations join for a full church parade.

In the past twenty years, the church has also seen a rise in weddings, baptisms, and confirmations. There is a strong emphasis on community and an appetite to provide more opportunities for people to learn, grow and actively participate in spiritual and prayerful development.

Once a month, a group of musicians come together from the congregation to support the worship.

Beyond worship, the church and its adjacent hall serve as a hub for the community. The hall is undergoing refurbishments to improve its usability. It’s home to local Girl Guiding and Scouting groups and the Smile Vulnerable Adults group.

As one of the few green spaces in the area, the church is actively developing its grounds. Grants have funded landscaping and improvements to the community hall’s heating, with plans to create a community garden and Eco Church.