|
|
WEST HAM CHURCH APPEAL FOR £1.75m.
All Saints' Church West Ham has started a fundraising campaign for £1.75m to rebuild a section of the building demolished in 2002, to redevelop the Long (Bridal) Porch, and to make some changes to the church interior.
The new build at the south-west corner of the church to replace the former vestries will include provision for meeting rooms for use by the congregation and the community, an office and a Choir vestry.
The Long Porch to the south of the church will be renovated, and become the usual weekday entrance. The available land to its west will be brought into use.
The kitchen at the west end of the church will be modernised, and the plans include provision for a large screened storage area opposite it.
The area in the church behind the organ in the north-east will become a chapel, and the present St Thomas' Chapel will become the clergy vestry.
There will be improvements to the lighting of the church and the audio equipment.
The church has a certain amount ring-fenced for this project, but we are appealing for additional funds to finance the work which is due to start in 2012.
A fundraiser has been appointed principally to seek grants from charities, trusts, and grant-making organisations. The congregation of All Saints' have begun a full programme of fund-raising events and activities.
We would be very grateful to receive donations. Cheques, made out to All Saints' Church West Ham PCC, may be sent to The Treasurer, St Thomas' Chapel, Church Street, London E15 3HU, United Kingdom. All donations with addresses will be acknowledged and a record of names only kept for posterity.
Do please be generous. This church has served the local community for 900 years. We are doing our best in our time to pass it on, renovated and revitalised to generations to come. Thanks for reading this!
Tel: 0208 519 0764. February 2011.
History of our Redevelopment Project |
|
| |
The church began to plan the redevelopment project over 15 years ago. The original aim was to completely re-order the church interior to create a more usable space. This meant the removal of the old 19th century pews, which has been implemented, being replaced by new high quality wooden chairs paid for by public subscription.
It was also envisaged that meeting/conference rooms be provided at the north/western corner of the church (presently curtained) and a large kitchen/ church office/vestries area on the south side. The floor (finished in York Stone) was re-laid in the nave with the addition of under-floor heating for part of the building. Outside the church, in the area between the long porch and south facing side of the tower a new building will be provided. This could host a range of community based activities for all age ranges, which should result in the church being open much more than at present.
The church council had originally sought to finance this scheme by the sale of two church halls and it was hoped that the redevelopment would be complete by 2003. Unfortunately a few months into the project a serious roof structure fault was discovered. The church council had no option but to repair the roof. Much of the money available for the redevelopment project had to be re-routed into the roof repair which cost just under £700,000. We now have a safe and watertight roof, new heating, new lighting, including new choirstall lamps, and new chairs, but the redevelopment plans for the west, north-west and south-west sides of the building had to be revisited. An architect has been appointed who is currently (2011) finalising plans for the building. A Quantity Surveyor has also been employed and other professional officers. The cost of the whole project is estimated at £1.75m.
How can you help
Donations large or small are very welcome. You can send us a cheque addressed to: The Treasurer, West Ham Parish Church, St Thomas' Chapel, Church Street, London E15 3HU.
Or:
Consider joining our Gift Aid scheme. By this method you pledge an amount each month or week a pay either through a numbered envelope or bank direct debit.
If you sign a gift aid declaration form then we can claim back tax on the amount you donate. Receiving donations and giving in this way makes it much easier to budget for the church.
THANK YOU!
|
| |
|
|
