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The Net Church, in Spital Street, Dartford shares building’s treasures with community

An old movie projector dating back to the 1930s found languishing in a church, once a cinema, will go on show on St George’s Day.

It is part of a community event being staged by The Net Church, in Spital Street, Dartford.

Minister Keely Morley said: “My husband Roy and I discovered the projector a couple of years ago in the building’s upper floor.

The church was formerly a cinema and a bingo hall. L/R, Alex Cooper who restored the projector & Senior Minister Roy Morley.
The church was formerly a cinema and a bingo hall. L/R, Alex Cooper who restored the projector & Senior Minister Roy Morley.

“It was still in the old projector room, covered in dust and cobwebs and had not been touched for decades.”

In its heyday the projector would have captivated cinema audiences with 1930s classics like Gone With The Wind; The Wizard of Oz; King Kong; and All Quiet on The Western Front.

Mrs Morley said: “We’ve had it restored by Alex Cooper, a specialist in vintage cinema technology from Dartford, and it will now go on display as we want to share the building’s history with the community.

The church was formerly a cinema and a bingo hall.
The church was formerly a cinema and a bingo hall.
The church was formerly a cinema and a bingo hall.
The church was formerly a cinema and a bingo hall.

“The cinema was called the State and built in 1935. It later became a bingo hall in 1975 and the church bought it in 2014.

“Right now the property is still undergoing restoration, including its Venetian and Gothic-style chandeliers dating from 1949. We want to retain as much of the heritage as possible.”

Pentecostal Net Church is a contemporary church. The community day is on Saturday, April 23, 10.30am-2.30pm.

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