St Laurence church repair fundraising appeal launched at Christmas Festival

Nov 24 2011 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

FUNDRAISERS aiming to net £220,000 to save Frodsham’s historic parish church are launching a Season of Goodwill for public donations to boost the urgent appeal.

Church custodians will be handing out flyers during Frodsham Christmas Festival tomorrow (Friday), appealing for individual donations and help from local businesses towards the cost of repairing serious decay in parts.

An architectural survey revealed a long list of problems, mainly relating to the roof and stonework of the 12th Century red sandstone structure – the town’s only Grade I-listed building and a much-loved landmark and social hub.

Some work had to be tackled immediately, and more than £12,000 of church funds has already been spent on repairing the leaky organ loft roof to protect the irreplaceable instrument. Other repairs need to be done within 18 months, and the rest of the work completed within the next five years.

The ‘shocking’ catalogue of repairs was revealed last month by assistant priest Kath Williamson, who is putting together a bid for an English Heritage grant of up to 40% of the £220,000 cost of ‘ensuring this beautiful building is watertight, safe and fit for purpose for the 21st Century’.

She said: “Even if we get a full grant, we will still need to raise another £100,000 in the next four years. A church fundraising committee has already raised well over £4,000 and we are investigating other grant sources – but community support will be vital.”

A programme of fundraising events has been planned for next year, including a craft and table-top sale in the Parish Hall on February 18, and a wine tasting evening on June 23.

“In September, we are hoping to arrange a genealogy and local history weekend, focusing on the church and churchyard records, and various concerts in the church will be held throughout 2012,” said Kath.

She said she hoped the church will remain open to the public, as usual, between 9am and 4pm as urgent work continues on the building, but said there may be occasional days in the coming months when this will not be possible – it will be a case of try it and see.

“The church is well worth a visit and is much appreciated, as shown by comments in the visitors’ book.

“We are able to open St Laurence’s to the public because we have closed-circuit television installed, so do come and look around.”