St Mary's Church, Hayling Island Community Spirit Appeal

ST MARY'S COMMUNITY SPIRIT APPEAL

St Mary's Church Since 1253, The Priory Church of St.Mary the Virgin, South Hayling, has been the centre of an island community. Not only have the islanders regularly come to the church to worship God, celebrate births and marriages and mourn the loss of friends and family in a time honoured tradition, but the church is also a place where the community celebrates festivals and is a home for many other community activities.

During its seven hundred and fifty years, St.Mary's has been subject to several 'upgrades' which met the needs of the growing and modernising world around it. The last major change occurred in the late 19th century, but we are now in a rapidly changing 21st century. St.Mary's has always been a well supported church, but it is all too clear that its interior and facilities are out of date and unable to cope with the community's expectations.

We have received the approval of the Diocese to improve our church in a way that will once again encourage and revitalise the community to make use of their heritage and be proud of what is theirs. At the same time, care will be taken to protect and enhance the historic and medieval design of the building and its features.

Modernisation will take place in two stages:

The reordering of the interior including the provision of a raised circular podium in front of the chancel. At the same time all the Victorian pews will be removed and replaced with comfortable seating. This will serve two principal purposes.
1. Provide a platform for the clergy and the choir, making it easier for the congregation to see the ceremony properly. This will also apply to staged events.
2. Provide a flexible area in which community events can take place. The chairs can either be placed in a semi-circular or classic configuration, or removed depending upon the needs of the event.
3. The replacing of the worn out Victorian floor, while at the same time installing under floor heating. Currently, the church only has a background heating system, which cannot cope with winter weather.
4. Our plans include the installation of a modern public address system, as well as flexible well controlled lighting.
The building of a circular extension on the North side of the church, reached by a short corridor through an existing door. This will house:
1. Much needed toilets including one for the disabled. Currently, the only available toilets are accessed by crossing a busy main road to the Church Hall.
2. A changing area (vestry) which can be used by the clergy, choir and performers in community events.
3. An area for some 40 or more people which can be used for community as well as church events. It would provide a quiet area for study or meetings. There will be a small kitchen for the provision of light refreshments.

Our aims are not only to encourage people to renew their faith and be able to worship in a more comfortable environment, but also to increase the use of this beautiful heritage building by making it available to the wider community for drama and musical performances in an inspirational setting.

Modern facilities are especially important in this age of a rapidly growing elderly population.

The approximate cost will be £600,000. We are raising funds for this exciting project in three ways.

Approaching the better off in our community for substantial and generous donations. These can take several forms including lump sums, staged donations or simple pledges.
Applying to funding bodies and authorities.
Running fund raising events in our community.

WE NEED YOUR HELP so if you are moved by this appeal, please contact either:
St.Mary's Community Spirit Appeal
Parish Office
24 Church Road
Hayling Island
PO11 0NT
Tel: O23 9263 7649
Email: stmary_hi@btinternet.com
or
The Appeal Organiser:
Steven Schrier
Tel:023 9246 3595
Email: steven@schriers.com