Strong community support for £100,000 Norwich church roof appeal
St Matthew's Church and Community Centre. Picture: CELIA FRYER - Credit: CELIA FRYER
The vicar of modern church has praised the community response to an £100,000 roof appeal.
A service in St Matthew's Church and Community Centre in Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich. Picture: CELIA FRYER - Credit: CELIA FRYER
St Matthew's Church and Community Centre on Telegraph Lane West, Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, has to use buckets to catch rain water because of problems with the tiled roof which needs replacing.
The appeal was officially launched at Easter when £10,000 had been raised. It has now raised £16,000.
Vicar of St Matthew's Church and Community Church, the Rev Patrick Jordan said: 'The response from the community has been very positive. There has been a lot of support and encouragement.
'We are encouraging the church and community centre members to come up with different ideas. Lots of people are making contributions which has been lovely.
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'We want to get the bulk of the money from grants. That will make or break us.'
He said the funding applications were being made to highlight the main community role of the church because it did not have any heritage features.
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St Matthew's Church was built in 1982 after the former St Matthew's Church, which opened in 1851, on St Matthew's Road, became a building for offices.
The new church was built in the centre of Thorpe Hamlet which covers Mousehold Heath, Riverside Road and Thorpe Road.
As well as worship, the building is used for dozens of non-religious activities seven days a week.
These include table tennis, Sure Start children's sessions and parent and toddler groups.
Mr Jordan said there were hopes that the tiled roof would be repaired with a year and wanted businesses to get involved.
Anyone interested in supporting the appeal can sponsor a tile.
The church will also be hosting a fete on its grounds on July 7, from 6-8pm, after Norwich's Gas Hill Gasp, part of the city's Lord Mayor's celebrations.
More fundraising concerts will be taking place in the autumn.
Previous fundraising events have included choir concerts and an afternoon tea.
At the appeal's Easter launch, the church released rockets and put on history trails and guided walks of the area.
Visitors could also see the restored 1947 Moray-Smith panorama painting of Norwich.
Contact 01603 763695 or visit www.stmatthewschurch.org.uk
