THE Friends of St Peter’s, Sibton, in Suffolk, reached a milestone last month, having raised £500,000 over the past 24 years to save their church, which was founded in the 12th century, during the reign of William II.
In 1997, the future of St Peter’s looked uncertain. The options were to remove the roof and close the church; put the building on the market for a token £1; or to raise funds for its repair, with a vision to see what had become a chapel of ease regain its parish status.
One of the current group of Friends, Andrew Campbell, paid tribute to the first committee, which had started its campaign with a target of £50,000 to repair the north aisle roof.
“We’re carrying on their good work as stewards of the building,” he said. The group is about to apply to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for £300,000 to support and stabilise the medieval roof and repair the consequent damage to the walls.
In the past quarter-century, the roof has been repaired, stained-glass windows re-laid, flooring stabilised, a modern heating system installed, and kitchen and lavatory facilities added. Fund-raising events are now focused on large events, such as art exhibitions and concerts, which have increased footfall into the thousands. The most recent event, the annual May Bank Holiday book sale, raised a further £3300.
“If we can manage to do the roof, then I think we’re setting it up for another generation at least,” Mr Campbell said. He acknowledged: “It’s a snakes and ladders thing — something else can come up, and you think, how are we going to get through this? But, at present, we do seem to be on something of a roll.”
Succession, though, is on the committee’s mind: it is an ageing group that would welcome a new generation of younger people to take up the mantle, he said.
St Peter’s has a small but active congregation. The Vicar of Yoxmere Benefice, which includes St Peter’s, the Revd Timothy Rogers, said: “The Friends committee has such a positive can-do attitude. This is a beautiful church, and, over 24 years, they and others have been doing an amazing job. They are passionate, consistent, and, most importantly, they manage to make fund-raising fun.”
The Friends committee plans to collaborate with the owners of Sibton Abbey to build heritage links and hold exhibitions, history days, and tours. They are also seeking input from the community on future uses for the church, including retreats and quiet days.
The Diocesan Advisory Committee secretary for St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, Edmund Harris, said: “The church remains on Historic England’s At Risk register because of the roof; so it’s important the work to this historically significant building is carried out. The Friends group have worked incredibly hard to save the church, and I’m sure their next endeavours will continue to make a huge difference.”