First the rain began dripping through the ceiling. Buckets and bowls collected drips but when the wind changed direction the drips ran along the roof and entered new holes. Tarpaulins were attached over holes and when the wind blew stronger it lifted the covering and the rain continued to enter the roof. Eventually newer tarpaulins covered older tarpaulins in a patchwork pattern across the roof and the rain continued to drip and form puddles on pews, on chairs, in cupboards and on the floor. Finally rain got into the organ and the organ got very upset and began to refuse to play certain notes.All this time the congregation and residents of St Stephen’s worked hard fund-raising. Coffee mornings, book sales, summer fetes, winter bazaars, Christmas wreaths, concerts, even several funerals offered generous donations. The money gradually grew over the years but always fell far short of the massive sum needed to repair the roof.A roof committee was formed and met online during the first year of covid. Planning and dreaming, they put together applications for funding grants, a faculty to replace the roof and tenders for an architect. Work began in 2021 when the final funds were secured. It was a tense time. The main contractor was ready to begin work, the scaffolding firm engaged, insurances in place, health & safety, quantity surveyor, all set to go. Funding was promised but work could not begin before a press release. Days of waiting lengthened into weeks. The roof team prayed. The congregation prayed. Anxiety grew. Eventually the go-ahead was announced. With a lot of work and goodwill scaffolders put up a temporary roof in record time, the contractors worked long hours, funding deadlines were met and the roof was finally completed in the summer of 2022. The congregation were welcomed back in with a service on October 2nd 2022.Grateful thanks go to everyone: to neighbours who helped out; volunteers who ran countless jumble sales; and of course all those who gave in anyway great or small. These included the National Churches Trust / Historic England / Department of Culture Media and Sport; All Churches Trust; Cornwall Historic Churches Trust; and Transformation Cornwall.
