We are an association (formed in 1994) of people form the parish and far beyond who love Christ Church, enjoy its architecture, worship, music and community involvement.
By joining the Friends you become one of those who since 1873 have supported and cared for this church, preserving it as a splendid heritage to hand on to future generations.
For over 130 years Christ Church has been a centre for liturgical worship and sound traditional teaching of the faith, but it has also been involved in the actual realities of living.
From the Christian community of Christ Church has come care of the old, personal development and training of the young, care of the sick, the lonely and the lost, support of the poor, deprived and neglected and this arm of care has stretched right out into the whole area of St Leonards and Hastings.
Today is no different.
St.Leonards is not a seaside town depending on the summer influx of visitors bt is in fact an all year round community facing up to all the problems of urban life and containing many who need constant care and support.
Any individual or organisation can join the Friends.
On payment of a subscription they receive a yearly newsletter which provides up to date information.
What has been achieved to date:
- Crypt development;
- Sound system
- Central heating;
- Cleaning of some of the murals behind the altar;
- Bells have been re-hung;
- New seating in main body of church;
- Refurbishment of Choir Gallery;
- New Parish Centre with Hall, Office, Song Room, Kitchen
- completion of new Nave roof
- repairs to the Stonework of the First World War Memorial
- Contribution towards the restoration of the Mortuary Chapel
- Repairs to the floor behind Holy Souls
Over the past five years we have recieved help from the Cathedral Camp Charity. Young people from all over Europe have visited us during the summer months and helped clean, restore and return the church to its potential beauty.Link to Cathedral Camps
English Heritage provided grant of £186,000 for the Nave roof and the project was completed by the end of 2004. Our current project is restoration of the stonework which is badly eroded in places and for which we are currently raising funds; donations gratefully received.
What do the Friends do ?
The Friends help the Parochial Church Council to raise money for special projects of restoration or improvement which the PCC cannot afford.
The Friends are not responsible for the day to day running of Christ Church.
A recent architect’s report indicated that the total cost of repair and restoration would be a considerable sum. The best estimate to bring the building back into a good state of repair amounts to over £500,000 and in any currency that is a huge sum of money to raise. Obviously this cannot be achieved solely within the parish, or indeed the local area. So we must appeal to a much larger constituency.
At the moment we are seeking
- members (£25),
- benefactors (£100+)and
- patrons (£1,000+) to support us.
Parish Office
2 Christ Church Courtyard
London Road
St Leonards-on-Sea
East Sussex
TN37 6GL
2 Christ Church Courtyard
London Road
St Leonards-on-Sea
East Sussex
TN37 6GL
To make your donation tax efficient please sign a print-out of the following declaration:
I am a UK taxpayer am willing to let the Friends of Christ Church claim back tax on all my giving to the Friends from 6 April 2000 onwards. I pay sufficient income tax or capital gains tax to cover the sums donated.
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