Historic church to launch Landmark II appeal

Buy photos » John Jackson needs funds for the Landmark II Appeal. Photo by Marcus Mingins 0112007MMR

A NEW appeal to raise up to £200,000 in two years for Bromsgrove’s historic St John’s Church will be officially launched at the service there at 10.45am this Sunday (January 8).

The cash from the campaign will fund repairs to the roof and provide a new heating system, securing the long-term future of the building, which dates back to the 11th Century.

It was well-known that work would need to be carried out the church roof at some point, but seven lead thefts in the space of six months, last year, together with the breaking down of St John’s ageing gas heating system has meant the need for the funds has had to be brought forward.

The cost to replace the lead on the church roof was estimated at £300,000 so the church appealed to the Diocese of Worcester for special dispensation to use a more cost-effective ‘Dryseal GRP (Glassfibre Reinforced Polyester) Component Roofing System’ - a request that was granted by the diocese’s chancellor.

Geoff Stollard, a member of the St John’s choir, chair of the fabric committee and the project lead, said: “We are fortunate the chancellor is a fully-qualified architect, surveryor and barrister, prepared to examine our case thoroughly and objectively.

“He was well aware his decision would be setting a legal precedent.”

Work to remove the rest of the lead took place in November and that, after being sold off, raised £10,000 for the appeal.

Speaking to The Standard, appeal co-ordinator Dr John Jackson, said he hoped readers would get behind the campaign and help make St John’s a town church that could be used for years to come as a place for worship and prayer, a place to celebrate weddings and births and a place for remembrance - both of relatives and of those who died in wars to preserve the country’s freedom.

“We shall obviously be applying to charitable trusts for contributions, and we are writing to everyone in Bromsgrove who has a real connection with St John’s - maybe they were married here or had their children baptised and of course those who supported our first Landmark appeal.

“Our goal is to have reached our target within two years - I would love to hear from anyone who has any other ideas or wishes to help in any way.”

Any residents or organisations interested in making a donation or organising fund-raising activities should call 0121 447 8011 or e-mail: john@jacksonconsulting.eu