<h3>Our beautiful church has stood here as a beacon in the community since at least Doomsday. It has changed over the centuries but has always been a place where the community can gather for those important moments in life, especially Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals. Also to mark national events and to celebrate. It is a base from which we as a church seek to serve our community in many ways.</h3><h3>Sadly, although much of the building looks to be in good order outside the vestry at the east end of the building is in a dire state and is now letting a lot of water in when it rains heavily and requires urgent underpinning to continue using it. If we had to close the vestry it could mean we can no longer use the church due to having no alternative exit to the main door.</h3><h3>If anything happens to the vestry it will also risk East End of the Church being seriously damaged and the beautiful stained-glass window. The window is also in great need of major restoration of the lead work and masonry to stop pieces falling out.</h3><h3>We urgently need to raise approx. £120,000 for the vestry to stat with and once that is secure to move on to the window. Sadly, due to the government cutting the ‘Listed Places of Worship Scheme’ which enabled us to reclaim the VAT the original cost has increased by 20%.</h3><h3>We know this building holds a great deal of affection in the hearts of many in the community and further afield and so are appealing for donations, fund raising to highlight the plight it is in and raise half the money is we can attract other sources of grant funding which require match funding to be in place.</h3><h3>The small congregation mostly now retired are doing all they can but only have so much in the way of financial resources to contribute. The Church of England is asset rich but cash poor, its assets are mostly tied up its church buildings which cannot be sold!</h3><h3>Please help us rise the challenge to preserve this beautiful building for future generations</h3><h3>For further information please contact <a href="mailto:events@whittonparish.co.uk">events@whittonparish.co.uk</a></h3>
Inside This Issue: Celebrating Our Volunteers Summer Activities for Families Youth Clubs & Community Events Schools and Children’s Ministry Top Up Shop News Opportunities to Volunteer Caring for Our Historic Buildings Meet Our New Team Member
