St James Church Restoration Appeal

The Church Today

Leckhampstead Church is a Grade II* listed Victorian church and is part of the The West Downland Benefice, which covers 6 villages and over 3,000 people. The Leckhampstead Church has successfully completed a fundraising appeal to make the building weather-proof, improve roof insulation to aid heating, and resolve structural movement in the roof and walls. The building works commence in March 2020 and will be completed in the summer this year. The exterior fabric of the church will then be improved and renovated but the interior is not fit-for-purpose as it is cold, damp and dark, so not inviting or welcoming. The seating is fixed so the space cannot be fully utilised for community activities or events. There are no toilets, no kitchen and old electric bar heaters are the only source of heating.

The Project Benefits

The addition of these facilities will rejuvenate the church’s role in serving the local and wider community through broadening styles of worship and improving community spirit and cohesion through hosting both large and small events. The improvements will meet the needs of the community for concerts, youth clubs, meetings and social gatherings. They will improve accessibility, provide the necessary facilities such as kitchen and toilets, and reduce the ongoing operational and maintenance costs. The modernisation of the church will benefit the whole community in dealing with rural isolation, loneliness and assisting the aged.