Arson church: MP's plea for help

The MP, horrified at the extent of the damage but full of admiration at the way the vicar, Father Colin Pritchard, and his flock are rallying, made his offer during a fact-finding visit last Friday.

Police say their investigation points towards last month's blaze having been arson.

The cost of repairs is likely to run to several thousand pounds. Simply erecting internal scaffolding so damage to the charred pine timbers lining the roof of the North Aisle and Nave can be examined will take four to five weeks.

Churchwarden John Hastwill told the MP that St Barnabas' had already been facing a potential 80,000 bill to repair badly eroded stonework in the exposed windows of All Souls' Chapel.

English Heritage has rejected a bid for grant aid for this because St Barnabas' has assets of 120,000. But the vicar and churchwarden told the MP that St Barnabas' has a small and ageing congregation and is already "living off the family silver."

Fr Colin said: "Our congregation are mainly in care homes and income is low."

Mr Hastwill said: "We are living on a deficit of 500 a month."

But the mood is positive.

The MP asked: "What's your congregation doing?"

Fr Colin told him: "Praying!"

The MP was shown a noticeboard packed with messages of goodwill. Mr Hastwill said: "Four churches in the town phoned and immediately offered us use of their buildings for services."

Father Colin said offers had also come from Grosvenor Park BUPA home, where he takes the sacrament to residents.

"People have been stopping me in the street to express their sympathy and their support."

Powerful dehumidifiers were blowing air under plastic sheeting to dry out the wood-block flooring as the group toured the blackened church wearing hard hats.

Already an initial clean has been undertaken. Pews have been removed from the North Aisle and Nave for specialist cleaning and repair. A specialist firm is coming to examine the organ for possible damage.

Father Colin is full of praise for the firefighters who saved the church. Thanks to their efforts, the damage stops short at the rood screen, leaving the Chancel untouched.

Father Colin said: "Fortunately, almost immediately after the fire we were able to continue to worship in our own building. It is important witness and it is also important for people to be able to continue to worship in their own 'home.'"

Services are being conducted in the largely-undamaged All Souls' Chapel. By Christmas, Father Colin hopes to be holding services using the South Aisle and Lady Chapel, with seating for about 100.

But he says sadly: "We were the only church in the centre of Bexhill which remained open during daylight hours. The church was used by many for private prayer.

"My great fear is that our insurers will now insist on the church remaining locked unless we have volunteer church-watchers on the premises."