St George's Parish and Buildings

Thundersley, Benfleet is a town of about 40,000 people, eight miles west of Southend-on-Sea at the mouth of the River Thames. The parish of New Thundersley is on the north-western side of the town. It's a densely-populated but pleasant commuter area, with about 12,500 people and a variety of mainly owner-occupied 'affordable' housing. There is a broad spread of ages. Many people commute to London, mainly from Benfleet station, a journey of about 40 minutes. There's no industry in the parish itself, although there is a trading estate adjacent. The area is well served by shops and services, and road communications are good to several large shopping areas, including Basildon, Chelmsford, Southend-on-Sea, Lakeside and Bluewater Centres.

There are several bus routes through the area. It's also easy to get quickly out to countryside, and to the sea! There are several primary schools in the parish, and a large comprehensive school. There are also many other schools in the area around the parish, and a sixth form college close by.

The parish's history

Originally the area now designated as the parish of New Thundersley was part of the ancient parish of St. Peter's, Thundersley. As the population increased, the daughter church of St. George was built in the 1920s, with services conducted by the curate of St. Peter's. Further rapid expansion of house-building in the 1950s led to the appointment of a priest-in-charge over a new 'conventional district', as it was first known by the church authorities. St. George's became a parish in its own right in 1964, when the present church building was erected. The present vicar is the fifth to be appointed since then.

The church

St Georges The church building is a pleasant modern structure which can accommodate up to 300 people. It is 'user-friendly' for a variety of services, although the Parochial Church Council is always considering how it may be improved! We have an area for coffee after services. There is a large car park at the side of the church. A church hall next door is used by many organisations, including cubs, brownies, guides and scouts. It is available for hire (and thereby providing an important community service), and the church uses it for children's and youth work, various meetings, and a weekly drop-in coffee morning. A modern hall extension provides further meeting space and office.

Here at St George’s we support Traidcraft and Tearfund products

About us