In early 2023 one of the leaded lights in the tracery above St Mary's altar collapsed. An emergency survey confirmed: our stained glass was in 'parlous condition'. And the problem wasn't confined to the glass. Movement in the east wall of the church had caused lead in the windows to stretch to reveal gaps between the glass and the masonry. So if we intended to preserve the glass, we'd have to start with groundworks outside.The good news is that St Mary's glass is well worth preserving: there are medieval elements in the tracery lights, and in both the north and south chancel windows can be seen 15th century glass that includes fragments of shields identifying the church's early patrons. Indeed, some of the glass is so important that our glazing specialist has offered to work on it pro bono.Three years on. the Diocese of Coventry has granted us a Faculty for the restoration, to include not just the tracery and chancel lights but, in the east window, the replacement of glass darkened by age with hand-blown cylinder glass. The fill cost of our project, including groundworks, masonry and glazing is £159,000.Thanks to our existing building fund, a generous legacy, and several donations, we have funds available to cover up to 30% of the cost. Now we area actively applying for grants to raise the rest. Can you help? How can you help?- by making a donation: every donor will be recorded in a roll call displayed in the church.- by joining the Parish Giving Scheme: which allows you to make a monthly contribution to St Mary's.- by responding to a questionnaire we will shortly be circulating: its object, to collect data in support of our funding application.- by contributing to fundraising events: see future announcements on this website.- by helping to develop St Mary's as a genuinely community asset: the church is the only public building in the parish, so how could it be used more widely, by the whole community?For further details, please contact Carol Rutter (Churchwarden) at c.rutter@warwick.ac.uk
