The Bishop of Stockport has officially launched an appeal to assist with the cost of repairing the roof at St Paul’s Church in Macclesfield.
Bishop Sam Corley visited the church in February, and saw for himself the task that faces parishioners.
The church is looking at a repair bill of around £650,000 to prevent further damage to the interior of the building after stormy weather has led to water pouring in.
Rev Canon Vivien Gisby, priest-in-charge at the church, said: “St Paul’s has been around for 180 years shining the light of Christ into the parish and beyond.
“The current congregation is committed to ensuring that the building will be around for the next 180 years providing a home for new generations of Christians who will continue to share the good news of Jesus.
“My heartfelt prayer is that we will raise the funds we need – and, as someone new in post myself, when I see the commitment and dedication of the people at St Paul’s I am quite sure we will!’
The church sits in an elevated position in the east of Macclesfield, with a landmark spire and tower that are visible from miles around.
The increase in wet weather over the last couple of years has led to significant water ingress in many places around the building which has subsequently led to damage inside.
Church architects have recommended that the work be undertaken sooner rather than later in order to prevent further long term damage.
A parishioner commented: “When it rains, the church echoes to the sound of water dripping into the numerous buckets dotted around the building.
They added: “The church and its adjacent hall are a hive of activity during the week, not only putting on regular services both for adults and young people (including our very popular parade services), but also hosting choirs, yoga and pilates classes together with the church’s uniformed groups, toddler group, lunch club and warm spaces.
“By making the building watertight and improving the environment we aim to provide an even more usable community space.”
Even before the appeal was officially launched, donations were already being received and this has provided some confidence to the team at St Paul’s.
The church is also looking to apply for grant funding, together with organising its own fundraising events – a whole host of which are planned in the coming months.
Churchwarden Matt Cooper said: “We plan to make this project into a real community affair involving as many different people in as many ways as we can.
“St Paul’s is an important landmark in Macclesfield and means so much to so many people.”
Churchwarden Nick Mottershead added: “We want to inspire people with our project so that they want to be a part of it, in order that we can build and develop our community relationships still further, both to provide a space that is welcoming and dry and more accessible for community use, but which will also ignite sparks of interest in what church is all about!”
If you wish to donate towards the appeal you can click here or alternatively you can donate via the button on the church website.
Donations can also be sent in the post to St Paul’s Parish Office, Glegg Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 7AJ and should be marked ‘roof appeal’.
For more information on the project, or to offer your skills to help the project, please email churchwardens Matt or Nick on churchwarden1@stpaulsmacc.org.
