In 1961 land on the North Downs was purchased by Croudace Ltd and planning permission sought for a New Village comprising dwellings, a church, pub, school, village green and shops. Planning permission was granted in 1964. Although there was designated land adjacent to Churchside Road, it was decided not to proceed with the building of Vigo Church.
In 1979 the then Rector of Stansted and Fairseat, David Clark, was given pastoral responsibility for Vigo Village and in September 1978 started holding a monthly communion service in the village school. In June, 1979 services moved to the scout hut where David’s task was in his words “to build up an ecumenical church life in Vigo Village, serving Christians of all traditions”. In December the service at the scout hut was attended by the then Archdeacon of Rochester, the Ven. Derek Palmer, in gumboots. He was most impressed with the dedicated group and excellent orchestra, commenting that one can now sense talk of the “Church in Vigo”.
This was the spur to find more suitable accommodation, resulting in an agreement on in 1980 between the Borough Council, Diocese of Rochester and others to finance the completion of the half-built village hall. In return for a £5,000 cash injection from the Diocese of Rochester Board of Finance, a five year agreement with Vigo Village Hall Management Committee was signed for use of the village hall for the purpose of Christian Worship; Vigo Church was firmly established.
In 1981 the Church Commissioners prepared a draft Pastoral Order to implement proposals by the Bishop of Rochester to transfer areas of Meopham and Trottiscliffe to the parish of Stansted and Fairseat. The proposal would better balance the numbers of residents and create a 2,500 strong evangelical community. In 1982 the Pastoral Order established the parish of “Stansted with Fairseat and Vigo”, served by the churches of St Mary the Virgin Stansted, Holy Innocents Fairseat and Vigo Church. When the Rev Dr Chris Noble was appointed Rector in 1995 the Rectory was moved to Vigo as a physical demonstration of the church’s commitment to the spiritual life of the village.
Over the past thirty-five years Vigo Church has continued to hold services on alternate Sundays in the village hall as well as running various mid-week groups. If you would like to enjoy the friendship, join in the singing and hear an explanation of the bible reading, you will receive a warm welcome.