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 Restoration Appeal
The Restoration Appeal is the final phase of the five year Restoration Plan. The objective is to install a modern efficient heating system, flexible seating, improved accessibility, a toilet, a meeting room and a kitchen servery. The cost to complete this work is £200,000 and the aim is to raise these funds so that work can start in spring 2021. The Appeal is managed by the Fundraising Committee and coordinates and manages grant and Trust applications and local fundraising events, including staging the Happy Circus on 4th July 2020.
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.
Thank you to all the Trusts that have generously given their support!
- Royal County of Berkshire Church Trust
- Sabine Sutherland Charitable Trust
- Friends of St James
Safeguarding
This parish is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children and people of all ages in our church community. The parish safeguarding policy can be downloaded here.
