We are very grateful to all the people who support us in so many ways: financially, with their time and energy, and through their prayers. This all helps us to maintain our services, building and ministry to the wider community. Below are a few examples of how you can help.

Prayer

Underpinning all we do and are as the church is prayer. This is fundamental to maintaining ourselves as a living and faithful community, and in supporting those in our care.

However else you are able to support us, above all we ask for your prayers.

Financial Support

St Laurence Church has stood in Downton for over 900 years and is part of the rich heritage of the village. As well as being the centre of a Christian community in Downton the church is used for a range of other activities.

The church is open every day for anyone to spend some quiet time here, as well as for our regular worship on Sundays along with other festivals, services and community events.

Day to day running costs are about £26,000 a year or £70 a day.

The costs of just keeping the church open, watertight, lit, heated, insured and generally in a condition where it can be occupied on a daily basis amounts to some £26,000 a year or around £70 a day. This is before the costs that we pay to the Diocese for employing our clergy and the costs of any of the events that are organised by our church for the wider Downton community.

The sale of the church hall in 2015 has allowed us to make some major alterations to the inside of the church. This has meant moving the font to allow the installation of an office, toilets and a meeting room at the rear. We will also install a dais at the front of the nave (the main part of the church) so that it can be used not only for worship but also musical and other performances.

Even so, the church still needs to generate funds to provide for its continuing occupation, for other major repairs, and for providing for the clergy presence in Downton. Current needs for the building are:

Replacing the roofs over the chancel and the north aisle which are both leaking and damaging the roof timbers (£75,000 to £90,000)

Upgrading the electrics (£10,000)

Why make a financial commitment to St Laurence Church?

You help to support: - a distinctive Christian church presence in our village, to promote the values which matter in the local community and society. - the work and mission of the church with young families and in local schools, and to care for the ill, lonely, bereaved and elderly members of our community. - parish clergy in posts serving our local communities. - the church building - a place of worship at the centre of the community, open for regular services, major festivals and community events, and those important family occasions – baptisms, weddings and funerals.

You can support St Laurence Church financially by:

1. Giving regularly

Members of the congregation and others are encouraged to give on a regular basis either by standing order or through a weekly envelope scheme. 

2. Making a donation for the maintenance of the building

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) would welcome donations from anyone who wants to contribute to the upkeep of this large Grade 1 listed building, which is beyond the resources of those who worship in the building. Donations to this fund, which must only be used for the maintenance of the building, can be made to St Laurence Downton PCC and should be given to the Treasurer at 142 The Borough. 

3. Joining Easyfundraising

If you shop online, you can join in the Easyfundraising scheme. Through this, for any online purchases you make from a wide range of retailers, the retailers provide a donation to St Laurence. Visit St Laurence’s Easyfundraising webpage to sign up for free and support the church.

Giving Time

Why make a personal commitment to St Laurence Church?

- You help to maintain a wonderful ancient and historic building.

- You get the opportunity to share your skills to decorate and care for St Laurence.

- You are able to be an integral part of our worship at services.

- You are able to become part of a team, make new friends and enjoy fellowship with a variety of people.

Ways of Giving Time: - Flower arranging, brass cleaning, laundering church linen. - Helping with the Church Fete, Cuckoo Fair and Goose Fair. - Joining the Church magazine (Parish News) production team, delivering the magazine. - Helping with grounds and buildings maintenance, working in the churchyard with the Eco-Group. - Helping at social and community events during the year. - For the 10:30am Service - joining the coffee rota or sides-person rota, reading a lesson or leading intercessions. - Bringing groceries to church for our regular foodbank collection.