St Mary’s Roof Appeal
Our Appeal
St Mary the Virgin is a Grade 1 Listed building of significance. It stands at the centre of what was the principal medieval settlement of Bourne, now the Old Town Conservation Area of Eastbourne. A church has stood on this site since at least 1054 in the reign of Edward the Confessor, though no part of the original Saxon church remains.
St Mary’s is a fine example of transitional Norman architecture, built in the late 12th Century and boasting Sussex chequerboard flint stonework. The church has undergone significant construction and alterations over the centuries with major work in the 12th, 14th and 19th centuries and again after sustaining bomb damage in WWII damage.
The current roof dates to the restoration of 1873 when significant work was undertaken to the church, including the re-roofing of the whole church. The intervening 150 years has seen patching to the Nave and Chancel slate roofs but they are now in need of urgent restoration. The funds we raise will also go towards important restoration of our beautiful early 20 th Century East Window which has been letting in water during heavy storms.
We need to raise over £500,000 to fund the restoration and safeguard this ancient building for future generations.
How you can help
You can donate to our appeal by giving online at StMary’sRoofAppeal or by scanning the QR code. If you are a UK taxpayer please Gift Aid your donation as this enables us to claim an 25% of your donation from the Government at no cost to yourself.
Support the Appeal
The Rev’d Richard Coles
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain, says the Psalm, which has been recited in St Mary’s Eastbourne for the last 900 years. But the builders’ labour is always required too and we need it urgently now to fix our slate roofs in order to ensure this and future generations are able to celebrate here their best days and find consolation on their worst (and everything in between). If you are able to help us, and them, then please donate to our appeal.
Patron
Supporting the Appeal
You can donate to our appeal by giving online at StMary’sRoofAppeal or by scanning the QR code. If you are a UK taxpayer please Gift Aid your donation as this enables us to claim an 25% of your donation from the Government at no cost to yourself.
Patron
Josh Babarinde OBE MP
Eastbourne is blessed with a beautiful medieval parish church which has been serving its community continuously for nearly 900 years. The church roofs deserve to be restored to tip top condition so that St Mary’s can continue this tradition of worship and service now and for future generations.