Jefferstone became known as St Mary’s Bay, with the outbreak of WWI and the creation
of an emergency landing strip. In the 1920’s, it developed as a popular seaside resort,
with the building of both holiday and residential homes. Following WWII, a number
of holiday camps and later caravan sites emerged.
Until the 1930’s a local garage, held weekly services as no church existed. In 1938,
parishioner built a new church of modern design, dedicated to All Saints. With the
church came the creation of the St Mary’s Bay parish.
St Mary’s Bay railway station opened on 16 July 1927, on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch
Railway’s line from Hythe to Dungeness. Although, undergoing various name changes
it reverted to St Mary’s Bay in 2000.
