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Help raise the roof of old Norwich church

RaiseTheRoofStMarksFamilies are being urged to help their Norwich church, as a major fundraising drive was launched to restore it to its former glory.

St Mark's, on Hall Road, New Lakenham, is in need of more than £200,000 of repairs.

The 200-year-old church is suffering from severe water damage and needs urgent repairs to the roof, and the replacement of guttering and downpipes.

But as well as preserving the building for future generations, it is hoped enough money can be raised to transform it into a lively community centre.

On Saturday February 10, 2007, churchgoers met to launch the Raise the Roof campaign and establish the St Mark's renewal fund.

The Rev Erik West-Lindell said: “We hope this will make a huge difference to the community and we hope to turn the church into a real community resource.

“It will be a powerhouse for the whole community in the 21st century. We hope it will be used for much more than just ecclesiastical purposes.”

An application has already been made to English Heritage for help with the fund, and over the next week 1,500 flyers will be distributed to homes nearby.

Peter Phillips, parish treasurer, said: “When it became clear that the roof was in urgent need of repair, we knew we would be unable to raise all the money on our own, so we applied for a heritage lottery repair grant. But it will only pay for the roof to be done and not the subsequent work.

“Mending the roof is just the beginning. We want to make sure St Mark's is at the centre, not only of worship, but also of outreach to the whole community.”

St Mark's costs about £1,000 a month to run and maintain, and already £27,000 has been raised in the last few years to install a new heating system and pay for rewiring work.

Donations can be made to St Mark's renewal fund, C/O Peter Phillips, PCC Treasurer, 37 Welsford Road, Norwich NR4 6QA.

 

Pictured above are Peter Phillips and the Rev Erik West-Lindell launching the appeal inside St Mark's.

Story and picture courtesy of www.eveningnews24.co.uk



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