CHARMOUTH: A project management group has been set up to aid restoration of St Andrew’s Church following news late last year that it faced closure.

The announcement comes after village residents turned out in force to a public meeting in September 2014 to support the refurbishment of the church building, which was described as ‘in a seriously bad condition’ by The Rev Stephen Skinner.

Estimated costs for the repair of the roofing, stonework, woodwork, drainage and refurbishment were described as anything up to £300,000.

Within the Church of England financial system parish churches are solely responsible for their own repairs – but funding reserves for St Andrew’s Church fall extensively short, at around £25,000.

The Rev Skinner told The News: “I’m delighted about the very dynamic group – our first three meetings have been full of ideas for the future.

“We’re aware that it will take the best part of two years to gain the huge required funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund in order to do all the exterior structural work on the tower and west end, as well as a major reordering of the interior for multipurpose use.”

But The Rev Skinner added that the application will not succeed unless the Heritage Lottery Fund is convinced of widespread community support for a refurbished parish church.

He said: “We have very little money available to do this work, but we aim to overcome this by obtaining all materials for the lowest price, inviting everyone in the community to adopt this as a ‘community venture’ and running a number of special concerts and events.”

People are asked to help make the project successful by offering their time and skills, giving materials that may be useful, making financial contributions, supporting the special events or volunteering to join the project group.

There will be a special fundraising event, entitled ‘Pews and Promises’, for the project at the church on March 26 at 7pm.

There will wine and canapés, and an auction of the church’s side pews together with many other items.

The church is also looking for a new treasurer, as current treasurer Audrey Worth is standing down at the 2015 April annual meeting.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Pauline Berridge on 01297 560957.

The Rev Skinner added: “We need the support to share the responsibility with the community of which this church stands at the heart.

“Every crisis is an opportunity; this is a chance to bring new life to one of the most valuable and largest community spaces in Charmouth.”

The group's aims

THE new project management group is aiming to make some temporary improvements to the building to make it more usable until funding from the Heritage Lottery Funding is available in 2016. The main improvement priorities aim to:

  • Install a temporary toilet using the current plumbing system under the tower;
  • Reinstate the kitchen, using second hand units supplied locally;
  • Lay a temporary floor in the rear area of the church, on the current concrete base;
  • Provide a temporary door between the rear room and base of tower;
  • Remove side pews and work on the floor, to enable temporary exhibitions.