MAJOR ROOF REPAIRS TO ST MARGARET’S CHURCH, NORTHAM 2018-2026Grade 1 Listed St Margaret’s Church Northam, which dates from approximately 1250, has finally seen the completion of repairs and re-slating of the complete church roof. The church was placed on the At-Risk Register by English Heritage in 2014 because of substantial problems with the fabric of the roofs, leadwork, masonry and internal plastered ceilings, with the likelihood of further deterioration and damage to the interior heritage if repairs were not carried out.Raising the considerable sum required for this work took some time, and it was decided to carry out the repairs in two phases, starting with the main roofs, followed by the East roofs as a second phase. Funding for Phase 1 was achieved thanks considerably to the National Lottery (Heritage Fund) generously providing a large grant enabling the work to start in 2018 and was completed in 2020 in spite of problems in obtaining appropriate slates and coping with Covid. Fundraising for Phase 2 was once again considerably helped with the National Lottery (Heritage Fund) stepping in with a second large grant. The completion of the overall project should ensure that the church remains weather proof and warm for the next few generations of worshippers and visitors to enjoy.A photographic record was made of the whole project by a member of the congregation, Frank Branch, consisting of some 900 photos for Phase 1 and approximately 200 photos for Phase 2. A copy of this record was recently presented to Kate Harrison, Chair of the Bideford and District Archive by Catherine Ellis, Churchwarden and Anne Irwin, Roof Project Leader (see picture). Catherine Ellis said, “We hope that this record of major work to an important building and community asset in Northam will ensure not only its safekeeping but also make it available to interested parties in the future.”
Reflection from Kevin BowmanToday’s reading: Pauls letter to the Philippians 1. 1-11 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Phillippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that on the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. from The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches in the USA. Used by permission. All Rights Reserved. Reflection: Reading this passage, made me reflect on how much I miss my fellow TCMC Christians. Whilst I have not been imprisoned, as Paul was, I have just returned from three weeks travelling and a summer placement. During that time, I did find myself thinking of you all and praying that our mission would be well whilst I was away. I also know, thanks to messages I received before and during my travels, that you had me in your thoughts as well. The thoughts I had about our mission while away were all positive, because I feel God is at work around us, and we are building a fellowship team that will stand together and support each other as we move towards a new era. Paul states “the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ”; and this stood out to me as a call forward to us today, to continue to grow our fellowship as we approach the busy advent and Christmas periods. By supporting each other through this period perhaps we too, as Paul concludes, will be able to “produce the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ”. Quite a short reflection but it meant a lot to me to be able to say I’ve missed you all, and I look forward to working with you all again now that I have returned from both my summer placement and my travels. Let us pray:Almighty God, who called our forebears to the light of the gospel by the preaching of your servant Wilfrid: help us, who keep his life and labour in remembrance, to glorify your name by following the example of his zeal and perseverance; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000) (including the Psalter as published with Common Worship), material from which is included here, is copyright ©The Archbishops' Council 2000
St Margaret’s Church, NorthamJoin us for an exciting live auction featuring a wide variety of items. Date: Saturday, October 17th Time: Viewing from 10:00 AM, Auction starts at 6:00 PM Free Entry Refreshments and Raffle Registration is simple! Arrive early to register and receive your bidding paddle OR Complete a pre-bid form available on the auction website or from Church Office For more information, please visit our website at www.stmargaretsevents.co.uk
