Stories from parishes
Guildford
A generous legacy left to St Paul’s, Tongham, enabled the parish to part-fund a full-time Children’s and Families Worker with the security of sufficient funding for several years. In addition, they were also able to invest in the fabric of the church’s Old School with an extension, toilets and improved access. The new facilities will benefit greatly both the congregation and the wider community.
A legacy of £150,000 enabled St. Peter’s, Frimley, to launch a major appeal for the re-ordering the church building. Major refurbishments were also carried out at St. Peter’s, Chertsey as a result of a generous legacy. In both cases, the buildings were transformed making them much brighter and more welcoming.
Birmingham
In the Yardley / Bordesley Deanery, a single gift of £56,000 through a Will provided an answer to prayer and the final amount exactly for the tower fund.
This historic church and popular wedding venue has been saved for future generations of worship and community links.
In 2009 Christ Church Ward End were blessed with a legacy gift of £11,000 from a completely unexpected source.
The PCC after prayerful consideration decided the legacy should be spent completing the refurbishment of the church with Rosehill chairs to match some already given through gifts and gifts in Wills to the church.
Exeter
A vision from God to reorder St John the Baptist, Newport was facilitated by a generous legacy, and this enabled the church to have comfortable and flexible seating, to be carpeted throughout and install an efficient new heating system.
A £10,000 legacy for St John the Baptist Church, Shiphay Collaton was exactly what was needed to create a new hospitality area in the church, where there had previously been no catering facilities. This now enables the church to run a range of missional and outreach activities on its own account (bacon rolls included!) and for other community and Christian groups – such as local healing ministries – to use the facilities.
Oxford
A legacy can make a very real difference. All Saints’ church, Mixbury is the only community building in a small rural parish in NE Oxfordshire. A legacy from a local parishioner has helped the PCC to begin planning a reordering of this ancient church. This will transform the building, making it much brighter and more comfortable with heating and lighting, a kitchen and loo. In this way the church will be able to welcome all kinds of community events, as well as remaining a place of worship for years to come.
Wakefield
Halifax Minster has been fortunate in being able to release £22,000 from a legacy to carry out essential repairs on the Minster’s historic organ. The repairs mark the first stage in renewing the Minster’s commitment to excellence in music and it is intended that this and other legacies will play a pivotal role in the developments of the Minster over the next few years.
Durham
A legacy left to the Parish of St Peter’s, Stockton has enabled them to replace their old, costly pipe organ with a new three manual digital organ.
The strong choral tradition within this church is now able to flourish, and the congregation now worships assured of reliable and enjoyable musical accompaniment.
As a result of two generous legacies, St. Margaret’s Parish Church, Durham were able to purchase and renovate an old house opposite the church building. Now known as Antioch House, the building not only operates as the Parish Office and a base for church activities, but is also home to a large number of other local community organisations including Brownies, a toddler group, and is also a base for local Christian youth workers.
