A Kingham church has received a boost to its funding for roof repairs, thanks to the National Churches Trust.
On the recommendation of the National Churches Trust, St Andrew’s church will receive a £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation.
The vicar, the Revd David Salter said: ““We need to do the repairs now. Rain is coming in, causing damage to the contents of the church and probably to the walls too. If we don’t start now, then things get worse and the cost of the repairs grows as well.
“The repair bill is about £500,000, and as well as the repairs, we want to develop the inside of the church to make it more hospitable and functionally better, for welcoming people, putting a toilet in etc.”
The church started fundraising in 2020 with some local events but then paused when the pandemic hit. Efforts have ramped up again in the last few years and the total raised has reached £250,000. The NCT grant will help with the first part of the roof repairs due to begin in the new year which total in the region of £180,000.
There are two further areas of the roof which need work, where the batons need replacing and another section where stone slates need to be replaced.
David continued: “We are doing lots within the village with different events on top of our regular church activities and then we have grant applications for funding bodies and we also have some large personal donations from people who are generous to use their income for the good of the community and others who have a long-standing connection to the church and give generously when they can.
“The community events are brilliant as they show the support in the village. But we need these three different ways to raise what’s needed.
“I have a wonderful team who work with me on the fundraising and they are just amazing. It really excites them to be working with such a good cause and to see people’s generosity.”
This will be a long-term project for the church with the second round of roof repairs completed in at least two years’ time.
The church dates back to the 14th century and still has fixture and fittings that are from this period – over 600 years old. These include a low arch on the North wall, the remains of a canopied tomb (thought to be that of Ralph de Chastelyn, the first Lord of the nearby Manor house) and a beautiful 13th century stone font.
The church is also home to unique stone pew ends, crafted in the 19th century by local stonemason, John Jackson, who also carved the pulpit and stone heads, which decorate the windows outside the south aisle.
Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said: "The National Churches Trust is delighted to be able to support St Andrew’s church to enable them to carry out urgent repairs to their beautiful building. Not only will this protect this important heritage, but it will help to keep the church building open and serving local people.”
David concluded: “We, the regular church family, see our mission in Kingham as being, ‘At the heart of the village, sharing the love of Christ’. The church building stands geographically in the middle of the village and is an enduring reminder of the faith of previous generations, as well as the beautiful location for continuing weekly services, festivals and occasional baptisms, weddings and funerals.
“We are currently looking forward to Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve, when well over 200 come to this special building to remember again, in readings and carols, the story of the birth of Jesus.
“We work hard, and are supported by many from the whole community, but we need external help to afford the needful repairs to the roof. We are very grateful to the National Churches Trust for this grant, which will enable us to continue to offer a warm, dry welcome to local residents and visitors. Without it, we could not keep the water out and the building would soon become unsafe to use.”
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