The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, South Benfleet

February 2015 update

Work has started on the renovations.! There is a twenty week programme of work. However in order to complete the work, we need at least another £50,000. Please try to make a donation if possible.

January 2015 update

Funding is coming in slowly. The cash level on the fund is now around £190,000.

Renovation Appeal

Dear Parishioner,

You may be a regular attendee at St Mary’s or a local resident who only knows the Church as a landmark. Perhaps your family has had a major family occasion here, say a wedding or a Baptism? Whatever the contact, you will know that St Mary’s is an important part of the community in South Benfleet. That is why we are asking your consideration for our Renovation Appeal

Oh no, you’re going to change everything!!

No, ‘renovation’ means exactly that, and it is past due!
The floor is worn out, the heating doesn’t work, the wiring is past its useful life, and the lighting dim. Parts of the building are nearly 1000 years old. We shouldn’t be surprised if its needs repairs from time to time. So, now is the time to fix all these faults, and to do this we need to raise funds.

Over this year we are going to be asking the community to help. Large gifts are, of course, always welcome! But we also have some sponsorship schemes to help the project along. They are symbolic items for sponsoring the heat or light projects, for example but for donations of ₤200 or more we felt more was needed. Our solution is to give the donors a ‘value added’ memento of their generosity, namely a limited edition linocut print of St Mary’s Church – numbered and signed which they could frame and keep in their family, forever. These have been produced by hand, by a recognised artist. With no repeats, the prints are unique pieces of art.

We will, of course, be working on other ways to raise the funds needed through grants and other types of appeal. We would, however, like to get started with this one. So, if you are interested – and hope you are! – please take time to think about what St Mary’s means to you and consider helping our Renovation Appeal.

So, keep us in your thoughts and prayers in the days and months ahead and join in our Renovation Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you are greater than we can imagine, yet you are pleased to dwell among us and call us your friends.

We bring to you our need to renovate St Mary’s Church building which will bring glory to
your Name and which you will use to serve our community.

We depend fully on your guidance, wisdom, inspiration, and grace to help us with our task, that we may offer to the local community of Benfleet a church that will be a symbol of your truth, and a witness of your love for future generations.

Bless our efforts, O Lord, and help us with the decisions and choices that lay before us. Send us the resources, the people’s generosity, the advice and expertise that we need.

Above all send us your Holy Spirit to help, equip and sustain us.

AMEN.

Link to information showing how you can help.