VIDEO: Congregation ‘raises the roof’ for parish church

The continuing effort of the congregation of the Three Bs Parish to make their property, St Peter’s Church, Beeding suitable for many more years of regular use, has received a boost with the news major restoration work has now started.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jun 2013, 11:15 GMT
JPCT 100613 Rev John Challis outside St Peter's Church, Upper Beeding . The congregation has been fundraising £250,000 to fix the roof and other parts of the building. The work has finally started. Photo by Derek MartinJPCT 100613 Rev John Challis outside St Peter's Church, Upper Beeding . The congregation has been fundraising £250,000 to fix the roof and other parts of the building. The work has finally started. Photo by Derek Martin
JPCT 100613 Rev John Challis outside St Peter's Church, Upper Beeding . The congregation has been fundraising £250,000 to fix the roof and other parts of the building. The work has finally started. Photo by Derek Martin

The £250,000 Raise the Roof project, backed by funding from English Heritage, Sussex Historic churches, Weston Family Trust, Jill Franklin Trust, Headly Trust to name a few will result in the significant repairs to the tower roof and valley gutter. Now the race is on to raise the £100,000 to £150,000 needed for the rest of the renovation of the former Sele Priory Benedictine monastery.

Grants have been secured alongside the congregation’s own funds. From coffee mornings and book sales to garden parties and gift days, money has been raised for part one of this project but the congregation would value more support in caring for this important and historical building.

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Parish minister Rev John Challis said: “I am absolutely thrilled by the hard work put in by so many in the congregation to get us to this point. Parishioner, Martin Leigh Pollitt has expertly led us with a wonderful team of supporters and fundraisers. Many folk have really put their faith into action in the way they have supported our plans for the repairs of our church building.

JPCT 100613 Rev John Challis outside St Peter's Church, Upper Beeding . The congregation has been fundraising £250,000 to fix the roof and other parts of the building. The work has finally started. Photo by Derek MartinJPCT 100613 Rev John Challis outside St Peter's Church, Upper Beeding . The congregation has been fundraising £250,000 to fix the roof and other parts of the building. The work has finally started. Photo by Derek Martin
JPCT 100613 Rev John Challis outside St Peter's Church, Upper Beeding . The congregation has been fundraising £250,000 to fix the roof and other parts of the building. The work has finally started. Photo by Derek Martin

“It is a credit to those involved that, rather than rest on their laurels; they have chosen to build on the wonderful foundation laid by previous generations. We trust and pray that this will pave the way towards a harvest of good things amongst future generations of those whom the Lord calls to be part of our ever growing church family.”