Christmas tree festival launched to help raise £100,000 for beautiful stained glass windows

A town church is hosting its very own Christmas tree festival as part of its attempts to raise £100,000 to save a bell tower and two beautiful stained glass windows.
By Tom Earnshaw, Reporter
Published 20th Nov 2019, 06:00 BST
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St Peter’s CE Church is in dire need of funds after its vicar was quoted a repair bill totalling £246,000 for the Chorley institution in Harpers Lane.

The Reverend Peter Smith explained: “We have an inspection of the church every five years and during that we noticed some damp highlighted by some problems on the windows.

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“The team went up and found that the copper ties on the window had perished and that was how rain was coming in.

Rev Peter Smith at St Peter's Church, where fund-raising continues to save two stained glass windows and the bell tower (Image: JPIMedia)Rev Peter Smith at St Peter's Church, where fund-raising continues to save two stained glass windows and the bell tower (Image: JPIMedia)
Rev Peter Smith at St Peter's Church, where fund-raising continues to save two stained glass windows and the bell tower (Image: JPIMedia)

“A specialist has told us they need to come out and they cannot stay fixed on site.”

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“It’s been horrendous,” said Mr Smith.

“Fund-raising has been going quite slow so the festival was the next step. The community has been good in responding.

The stained glass windows in need of urgent repair (Image: JPIMedia)The stained glass windows in need of urgent repair (Image: JPIMedia)
The stained glass windows in need of urgent repair (Image: JPIMedia)

“We had an architect come round and he said the total repair for the building is £246,000 including the belfry and bell tower.

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“The scaffolding alone is horrendous in cost. Just the glass is £28,000 on its own not including scaffolding and painting.

“Every Victorian church built in the 1850s is in the same position. They need to be kept updated.

“The current windows have been in place for around 90 years though, so it’s not been a bad run at all.”

The festival will be open from 1pm until 4pm on Friday, 10am until 4pm on Saturday, and 11.30am until 2pm on Sunday.

Free parking will be available behind the church.

Related topics:Peter SmithChorleyVictorian