About 250 people attended an open day at Holy Trinity, Queenborough, and learnt all about its past, present and future.

Old records from the archives at Maidstone and silver dating from 1664 to 1674, normally kept at Leeds Castle, were borrowed and put on show at the High Street church.

There were also photo albums, newspaper cuttings, pictures and a model which had been lent by members of the public.

A burial register recording the interment of Emma Coppins, murdered in January 1859 by a jilted suitor who was later hanged for the crime outside Maidstone prison, proved a popular exhibit.

Photos of flower festivals, Blessing of the Waters services, weddings, baptisms, harvests and parades were used to represent the present.

Organisers also looked to the future by explaining the building is on English Heritage’s ‘At Risk’ register and needs £154,000 of essential repairs.

A dilapidated vestry is also hoped to be replaced with a new meeting room, kitchenette and toilets, at an additional cost of £170,000.

Big Fish Arts showed its film Greet Folk Opera, based on the Greet family and performed in Holy Trinity’s churchyard around their tomb in 2007.

Inspecting architect John Bailey gave a presentation on the history of the church including its painted ceiling, which dates back to 1695, and the font, from 1610, which are of national importance.

He said it was unusual in that it was known not only when work started on the building but also who carried it out and how much it all cost.

He also pointed out it was one of the few churches left which still had the mayoral seat within the chancel.

Church warden Mary Shoebridge said: “A few people were overwhelmed with excitement at discovering the names of grandmothers, uncles and other relatives they had not expected to see in our old registers.”

She added: “Overall, the day showed just how much a part of the community the church is and how much it means to them even if they don’t attend on a Sunday morning. People appreciate our beautiful church and the memories it holds for them.”