Elise and James Purchas for CCCT

[p]We are along with many others seeking to raise funds for Christ Church Community Trust for its exciting - and urgent - project to restore this magnificent Benjamin Ferrey church, consecrated in 1851, so that it may serve the community for the next 160 years. [/p][p]Since WWII, Christ Church experienced many challenges but a resolute, never-say-die approach saw it survive, often against all odds. Despite regular and repeated threats of closure over 50 years, Christ Church continued to serve its local community and now flourishes, due in no small part to those parishioners who never gave up.[/p][lt]h3[gt]Restoration[lt]/h3[gt][p]The restoration part of the project will see repairs to the roof, stonework and rainwater goods completed as we repair and reslate the aisle roofs. The interior of the church will be redecorated where water ingress has caused damage and the glorious stain-glass windows will also receive a new lease on life. Our beautiful organ will be repaired and restored so that it can continue to support services and perform at concerts. Volunteers who have received training from the Royal School of Needlework will be repairing our intricate frontals and pulpit falls. These hand-embroidered textiles were created by women from the Christ Church congregation in the early 20th Century and it is wonderful that volunteers from Christ Church will be continuing that tradition and ensuring they endure for another century.[/p][lt]h3[gt]Regeneration[lt]/h3[gt][p]We provide a meeting space for local schools and groups and children’s activities, care for disadvantaged people, and offer a venue for concerts and art exhibitions. The Community Appeal will enable Christ Church to be even more of a hub for the Kensington village, able to offer an increased educational programme for local school children and an enhanced cultural programme of performing and visual arts. As such, the Appeal is a chance for the whole community to become involved in the planned improvements to this significant local landmark, so that Christ Church will be a thriving centre of activity in a flourishing neighbourhood.[/p][p]Through wonderful generosity over £600,000 has already been raised to date and the target of £909,000 is while still a long way off, something appearing more and more attainable.[/p][p]We hope that our rather meagre running efforts may inspire some further generosity from our friends![/p]