1:14pm Tuesday 30th December 2008
By Pete Lammas
2009 is set to become an important milestone in the history of a prominent Bromsgrove building. It was in 1859, that work began to build the Grade II listed St Peter's Catholic Church on Rock Hill which now, due to the ravages of time and the elements, is in urgent need of repairs to its crumbling sandstone fabric.
Also in need of attention is the guttering and drainage systems as well as extensive repairs to internal features and decorations.
The cost is estimated to be £150,000 — £1,000 for each year of its existence. A further £50,000 is needed to overhaul the organ. A major item, that of rewiring the church, has already been completed.
Before the damage became apparent the church had embarked on a 150th memorial to install stained glass in the west wall's rose window.
The £30,000 for that project was raised by way of a lottery which pays a prize of £100 a week. The profits now will be diverted to the general repair fund.
Peter Weston from Stratford Road is a member of a small appeals committee charged with raising the cash. Soon he is to be presented with an award for completing 20 years as a governor at nearby St Peter's first school.
He and his colleagues are under no illusions about the size of the task confronting them when he said: “The appeal has got off to a steady start, but we intend to make a big push this year. We need £150,000 which can only be achieved by contributions from the wider community of Bromsgrove as well as our own parishioners.”
An appeal to English Heritage for help has been refused, but a revised application is likely being made.
A plea for advice has gone out to Bromsgrove businessman, David Slade, who chaired the highly successful St John’s church Landmark Appeal from 2003 to 2006 which raised £600,000 and to MP Julie Kirkbride, who was a patron, and who has pledged her support.
“I’m very keen to help to maintain another important Bromsgrove landmark,” she said.
Among fundraising plans being finalised are concerts by youngsters from Bromsgrove School and a mile of 5p coins.
Father Graham Wilkinson, priest at St Peter’s, said: “It is vital we undertake do the work now before the church deterioriates further. It contains much Bromsgrove heritage which many are unaware of.”
Among many items of interest and beauty is the high altar designed by AW Pugin, of House of Commons fame, and a window and triptych — a painting on wood — by the celebrated Bromsgrove artist, Albert Lemmon.
Two notable people who have worshipped there in the past are JRR Tolkien’s mother Mabel, who is buried in the churchyard and Sir Edward Elgar.
Donations may be sent to Father Wilkinson, 2A Charford Road, Bromsgrove, B60 3LU, or telephone 01527 832530 to offer help.
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