Every church in every village tells a narrative about their location and history – St John the Baptist in North Luffenham is no exception. Family members might recall their time in church when at the primary school, or their wedding, or attending the funerals of loved ones and visiting graves. However, over the last few years the condition of our church has markedly deteriorated. The heating has failed completely and is beyond repair. The Organ is barely functioning. The regular income has fallen far below the monthly running costs and the regular congregation has shrunk to only a handful. Maintenance costs for tree surgery, the roof, are only met by calling on reserve funds supported largely by the Village Trust.
Monthly set outgoings exceed monthly income by £1,500 a month before any maintenance bills.
Currently, the church reserves, once in excess of £100,000 have lost over £35,000 in just over two years.
The church is faced with a decision – stagger on like it is currently until the reserves are depleted and then close the doors, or develop a strategy to increase the income. We would like to open up the church to more users, removing the pews and installing efficient heating to develop a flexible community space that can be passed on to our children and grandchildren. This new space would be available for all sections of the community whether they are regular church going worshippers or not.
We would like to hear your views about the future of the church, what do you want to do with your church – your village asset .
Please complete the survey enclosed in the Magazine or at the link below
One has to ask what has the Village Trust given to the church? I am right in thinking that it donates 25% of profits every year?
We are in a blessed and unique position to have VT over every other village.
How much money has the church spent on printing forms out for this survey and could that money have been better spent on the church?