The refurbishment will ensure the building is safe, accessible, and fit for regular services, enabling us to maintain our role within the benefice and continue offering spiritual support to parishioners. Beyond worship, our vision is to re‑establish the church as a hub of community life. Once restored, the building will provide a welcoming space for a wide range of activities, including musical performances, community gatherings, educational workshops, art classes, exhibitions, and heritage events. By opening the church to broader community use, we aim to strengthen social connections, reduce isolation, and create opportunities for people of all ages to come together. The key outputs of the project will include: A fully restored and structurally sound church building suitable for worship and community use. The reinstatement of regular services and the continuation of our commitment to holding at least six services a year within the benefice. A programme of community activities such as concerts, exhibitions, classes, and local group meetings. Increased engagement with residents, local organisations, and visitors, helping to secure the church’s long‑term sustainability. A revitalised heritage asset that contributes to the cultural and social life of the village. Overall, the project will not only preserve an important historic building but also create a flexible, inclusive space that supports worship, fosters community cohesion, and enriches the cultural life of Stow Maries. To enable the church to reopen for worship and community use, four key areas now need to be addressed: 1. Replace the rotten wooden floor with a new, level surface to improve accessibility for wheelchair users, prams, and those with limited mobility. 2. Re‑plaster the walls where decayed panelling had to be removed along both sides of the nave. 3. Install new pews at the front of the church, while retaining an open, flexible space at the rear with removable seating. 4. Limewash the nave walls to complete the restoration and protect the new plaster. This work is essential to restore a functioning place of worship for the parish and to maintain our presence within the benefice. At present, we are unable to hold services or offer pastoral support in our own building, which restricts community engagement and limits our role in village life. The church is also a significant heritage asset. Without further intervention, an important part of Stow Maries’ history remains at risk. Completing the restoration will preserve the building for future generations while enabling it to meet modern community needs. Overall, this project is urgently needed to save a historic building, reinstate worship, and revive a vital community hub at the heart of the village. The restoration of St Mary and St Margaret Church will benefit a wide range of people within Stow Maries and the surrounding area. First and foremost, the worshipping congregation will regain a safe and accessible place for regular services, pastoral support, and community prayer. As part of a benefice, the restored building will also support the wider church community by enabling us to host our share of services and events. Local residents will benefit from the return of a much‑needed community space. The village has limited venues for gatherings, so reopening the church will provide a welcoming setting for concerts, exhibitions, meetings, classes, and social activities. This will particularly support older residents, those experiencing isolation, and families seeking local, low‑cost opportunities to connect with others. Community groups, local organisations, and creative practitioners will also gain access to a flexible venue for workshops, rehearsals, performances, and heritage events. Schools and educational groups will benefit from opportunities to engage with the building’s history and architecture. Visitors, walkers, and those interested in heritage will benefit from the preservation of an important historic landmark that reflects the identity and story of Stow Maries. Overall, the restoration will support spiritual life, strengthen community cohesion, provide cultural and social opportunities, and protect a valued heritage asset for future generations.How You Can HelpWe are launching this next appeal to fund the floor replacement and the re-installation of our pews. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to completion.https://www.justgiving.com/campaign /stmarystmargaretchurch
Please see a recent video shot over our lovely church:
The Situation:Our beautiful church, dating back to the 14th century, has been a spiritual haven for generations. The graves of several World War I Airmen who were stationed at Stow Maries Aerodrome rest in our churchyard, a poignant reminder of sacrifice and courage.Just before Christmas 2019, the lead covering on the roof was stolen, leaving the church vulnerable to the elements and jeopardising the safety of our historic 14th-century building. We feared the result might be the loss of the Church.Our Initial Goal:To raise £70,000 for estimated repairs. So far, we have raised 80%Updates:Update #1 - 9th October 2024Unfortunately, more of the internal ceiling collapsed on October 24. Our churchwarden has moved the chairs and cleaned up the area, but it looks like more is going to fall into the church due to the water damage from the leaking roof.Update #2 -15th October 2024The water continues to come in through the roof after the heavy rain we had over the weekend. We will do our best to protect the floor.Update #3 - 14th February 2025We made the local news:https://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/news/24915008.appeal-restore-church-failed-efforts-5-years/Update #4 - 18th May 2025We have raised sufficient funds to replace the external roof with stainless steel. Work should start in June. Once the external roof is repaired, we will decide on the best approach to fixing the internal ceiling damaged by water ingress.Update #5 - 12th July 2025Work has commenced on repairing the external roof. The contractors, unfortunately, found that the supporting beams were rotten and needed replacement. We hope this will be within the contingency we allocated. We are currently at the stage where the stainless steel roof can be installed. Internal damage has increased, and we need to raise a further £21k to remove the internal ceiling (subject to planning approval)Update #6 - 10th December 2025We have raised 80% of the estimated £70,000 needed, a stainless steel roof has been erected, and a new ceiling has been almost finished being installed. Unfortunately, during the restoration, it was discovered that the floor had woodworm and had disintegrated in places, and some of the wooden pews also needed repair due to woodworm.Update #7 - 21st April 2026Our ceiling is now completed thank you to all who donated. The PCC is now concentrating on raising the funds to repair the floor where the floor joist had rotten and the pews were sloping towards the wall.How You Can HelpWill you help us complete the restoration work so that St Mary & St Margaret’s Church can be open once again for the spiritual well-being of the community it has served for seven centuries?Every £ donated will go towards the restoration, and the Parochial Church Council is very grateful for the grants and the twenty-one people who have generously donated so far.Please donate via Just Giving or PayPal:Just Giving:https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/stmarystmargaretchurchPaypal:https://bit.ly/3ZRM4hh
