This project is costing in the region of £150k. An animataur and evaluator have been recruited to enhance and report progress. The Heritage Lottery Fund have generously helped fund the restoration. Perins school, the local community and Hampshire Music Trust are all involved.Please read about our historic organ in a separate section.The church is soon to be opened again from 20 Nov 23. The church is part way through a programme of concerts arranged around the project. The remaining concerts are explained at: www.stjohnsnorthington.org
The Roof has been completely renewed thanks to a Government Grant. Best use of the scaffolding was also made to replace the chimney and return it to its original Victorian design. Stonework around the exterior Apse and the Tower was also carried out to renew and make safe. Inside the Reredos is now lit and the counterweighted candelabra have been serviced after 130 years. The rewiring and new lighting is complete. This allows us to change the church light settings to match the occasion.There are numerous other Projects that require to be completed. The most prominent being the organ restorative overhaul and the refurbishment of the Grade 2 listed Graveyard wall. The organ project is progressing well with the organ work completed by the chosen contractor but the cultural aspects are continuing to be provided. The wall is undergoing surveys and architectural planning before permissions and grants are sought. The old church area which includes the Village War Memorial, is being refurbished. The old decayed boundary wall on the West side has been refurbished. The old headstones have been placed along the bank supporting the wall on the South West corner; these were found when the War Memorial was being commissioned. Extra car parking spaces are being developed on the East side. The residents of Church Lane are part way through replanting the area of the bank by the new wall.You can only really appreciate the beauty of this place and why it needs such upkeep if you come and visit. The image at the start of this section is taken from the East end of the site of the former church - the car park surrounds the former church mound and War Memorial.
