“EVERYONE should be involved in a church restoration project at some time in their life.” Those words were recently said to me by someone who made a donation a few years ago, and is now immersed in St Sampson’s Unlocked: a half-a-million-pound restoration project at St Sampson’s, South Hill, in Cornwall. The more I thought about his words, the more I realised what a profound statement this was.

A church restoration makes you realise the importance of things, temporal and spiritual. It makes you think about the faith of others, and about your own faith. It draws you into something deeper than bricks and mortar. It gives a sense of your place in history and the continuation of history. It provides a timeless, stabilising effect on fast-paced modern life.

Being involved in a restoration project brings many opportunities, joys, and challenges. It can, literally, change your life. There are discoveries to be made, skills to be learnt, people to get to know.

Churches are so much more than places of worship, and give far more than they take. I have been surprised by the passion of the many skilled craftspeople who care deeply about their skill, be it related to windows, bells, or monuments. I have been inspired by the advice and help from other churches and professionals. I have made some very good friends as we work together, laugh together, and, sometimes, cry together. The community value what is often one of the few remaining public places in a rural situation, and can become wonderful advocates of “their” church.

CHURCH restoration often starts with a faith community who want to “fix” their building. For us, this has had an amazing knock-on effect. We needed to think what we could do with the building: the community was consulted, and more than 100 ideas were submitted. To do any of these, we needed to make the building warm, dry, and draught-free, with works to the roof, ceiling, windows, floor, and heating — and we needed to put in a lavatory and kitchen. From the start, we realised that it was not a building project, but a mission project: an opportunity to open the church for all to use, and for people to experience the awesome sacred place that is St Sampson’s.

If you have an interest in history, churches offer a wealth of discoveriesr. Starting with St Sampson in the fifth century, we are connected to Trelawney, William Wilberforce, Sir Francis Drake and the Armada, the Knights of the Garter, Daphne du Maurier, and several of the old noble families of Cornwall. All have left their mark here; a church such as ours is a historian’s paradise. The research on our windows and the families they mention took me all around the world via Facebook and email.

When our bells were taken down for restoration, it was an opportunity for volunteers from the community to help, and for local bell enthusiasts to become involved. We were astonished and delighted by the number of people who came to help, or just to watch; and we were surprised by the strength of feeling that our 1698 bells evoked in us. After they were largely unknown or ignored for so long, the community now feels very strongly about restoring them so that they can once again ring out across the parish of South Hill.

Like many churches, we have bats, including some regionally rare ones. Our bats started as a problem, but have become a blessing. They, too, have brought us inspiring and knowledgeable enthusiasts, and drawn new people into becoming involved. Learning about our roof residents and conserving their habitat is another reason to be involved in church restoration. Without churches, a high percentage of bats would lose their homes.

COMMUNITIES need public spaces — and where better than in and around a church? Churchyards can be wonderful wildlife havens and places of peace for humans. Church buildings are spacious but beautiful places for all sorts of events and activities. Some of the best places for cafés, concerts, and contemplation are churches. They can be hubs of social engagement which bring communities together and provide an opportunity for showing Christ as part of our everyday lives. Who would not want this rather than an unused ruin in their midst?

Close a church, and you do not lose a worshipping faith community — that will continue. What you lose is your shared heritage, your links with history, a piece of your community, a chance to thrive and grow together, a shared space, an undisturbed habitat and haven for wildlife.

Being a team or community restoring a precious church is life-enhancing. It gives an enormous sense of well-being, as you work together, make new friends, get through the challenges together, fund-raise and have fun, honouring past generations and leaving something for the future.

At St Sampson’s, we are slowly fulfilling our vision. It is a long journey, which has many twists and turns. Along the way, we have doubled our church attendance; but, more importantly, the residents of our community know that we exist for them.

Restoring a church is achieving something great that Christians can achieve to the glory of God. It is a lasting “Hallelujah!” Everyone should definitely be involved in a church restoration project.

Judith Ayers is a Reader and joint project co-ordinator of St Sampson’s Unlocked project.

More information, including how to donate, here