Church gets new roof after villagers raise £620,000

A church congregation of 25 people have managed to raise over £620,000 to fix their church roof and reopen its doors.

The stone slate and timber roof at St Nicholas of Myra Church in Worth Matravers, Dorset, was found to be rapidly disintegrating during checks in 2021.

Fundraiser and former vicar at the church, James Mercer, said there was a risk of "an avalanche of stone" coming down into the building after Victorian nails holding the slates were found corroded and wooden battens had rotted.

Parishioners managed to raise the vast sum with the help of grants and a series of fundraising events. It has since reopened following a rededication service led by the Bishop of Sherborne.

Checks on the roof in September 2021found Victorian nails holding the heavy Purbeck stone slates were corroded and wooden battens were rotten

Mr Mercer said after finding out the full extent of the work needed on the the Grade I-listed Norman church "there was that moment of how on earth do we deal with this?"

"But it couldn't be left to rot, something had to be done - so a small group from the church and the wider community came up with some plans," he said.

The group were able to secure a £250,000 grant from Heritage Lottery, which Mr Mercer said was "the breakthrough moment that boosted the team's confidence and gave hope there was a chance we could get the roof rebuilt."

They reached their target through further grants from Dorset Historic Churches Trust, the National Churches Trust and the Erskine Muton Charitable Trust - combined with their fundraising activities, including open gardens, concerts, film evenings and fetes.

"There was no option but to go for it. It's very much loved and at the heart of the Worth Matravers community - it was well worth preserving", Mr Mercer added.

Services were held in the village hall while the repairs were carried out