We are delighted by the news that St Andrew’s will receive a Foundation Grant from the National Churches Trust, to support essential maintenance works to the roofs and gutters.
St Andrew’s Church has been a key part of community life in Soham for the past 900 years. Sadly, the much-loved church building is beginning to show its age. The repair of the grade I listed building has become a high priority. Anyone walking through the churchyard can’t fail to notice the fencing round the base of the church tower. The whole exterior of the tower is in need of urgent repair and almost all the roofs need re-leading, in addition to other urgent repairs.
Thanks to the support of organisations like the National Churches Trust, the PCC has been awarded small grants to focus on maintenance and stitch in time repairs, which are helping to stall deterioration whilst options to fund major repairs - to the tune of around £2.2 million - are explored. Funding of this magnitude is in very short supply at the moment, but the team at St Andrew’s are as determined as they come, and thanks to their efforts, the help of the local community and invaluable Diocesan support, work is being completed wherever possible.
Grants like this are so encouraging! They provide us with essential financial resources and also show how much St Andrew’s Church is loved, appreciated and valued by so many people, regardless of their religious affiliation. The team at National Churches Trust recognise both the challenges that face us and our commitment to restoring the church building such that it remains a unique community asset for centuries to come. Very many thanks to them all!
The Revd Eleanor Whalley, Vicar of Soham
St Andrew’s Church is very much at the heart of this busy town and the PCC are looking forward to delivering a series of community events later this year, beginning with a VE Day-themed spring fair in the churchyard on Saturday 8 May.
If you are interested in finding out more about the church, the repairs and how you could help please visit https://www.standrews-soham.org.uk/ or email Claire Halley, St Andrew’s Heritage Project Co-ordinator via standrewsheritage@gmail.com
The National Churches Trust
The National Churches Trust is the national, non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting churches of all Christian denominations in the UK.
It aims to:
- Provide grants for the repair, maintenance and modernisation of church buildings
- Act as a catalyst to improve and bring resources to the management of church buildings
- Promote the value of church buildings to the community at large
More Information
- For more information visit www.nationalchurchestrust.org