A church community that has spent years fundraising, organising events and caring for a much-loved building is preparing to see work begin on a major £500,000 restoration project at St Mary the Virgin Holme-next-the-Sea.
Scaffolding will go up in early August as work starts on the church’s historic tower, securing its future for generations to come. The scheme has been made possible through a combination of legacy giving, generous private donations, community fundraising and support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
For those involved, the project is about more than repairing stonework.
Ann Rossington, who has served as churchwarden for 25 years and plans to step down next year, said the fundraising campaign had revealed just how deeply local people care about St Mary’s.
Ann said: “It shows how much people care about the church.
“Everyone has always been involved. One volunteer has been doing brass rubbing for 60 years. Others help with washing up, events and all the jobs that need doing. It is about being part of the history of the church.”
The tower dates from around 1400 and remains one of the most recognisable landmarks on the north Norfolk coast. Standing 80ft 10in tall to the top of its pinnacles, it can be seen for miles across the surrounding countryside and has long been a familiar sight for residents and visitors alike.
The restoration will address cracked and unsafe pinnacles, repair historic brickwork and replace the tower roof. Existing lead will be removed, melted down and reused as part of the project. With scaffolding representing a significant cost, supporters decided it made sense to complete as much of the necessary work as possible while access to the tower was available.
The work is expected to last around 42 weeks and continue until May 2027.
What has stood out throughout the fundraising effort is the level of support from the wider village. Holme-next-the-Sea has around 210 residents, with approximately half of its properties being second homes. Although regular congregations at St Mary’s are small, the church continues to hold a special place in the life of the community.
Rachel Silfield, one of the volunteers behind the restoration appeal, said one message received after news of the National Lottery Heritage Fund award summed up the feeling shared by many local people.
A villager wrote: “I know we do not attend church but we do really appreciate that the building is a beautiful feature of the village and feel joyful every time we arrive back to Holme after being away and seeing the church tower in the distance.”
Rachel said: “I think that expresses well the support we have been receiving from the wider villagers who do not attend church.”
The fundraising effort has combined community support with grant funding from a range of organisations. The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded £249,849 towards the project, while the Geoffrey Watling Charity contributed £3,000. Applications to the Norfolk Churches Trust, National Churches Trust and Benefact Trust were unsuccessful, and the church is still awaiting a decision from the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Private donations have contributed more than £30,000 towards the appeal. Open gardens, fêtes and raffles, supported by local organisations and businesses donating prizes, have also helped bring the project closer to completion. Around £16,000 still needs to be raised.
Ann said the grant application process had also encouraged people to learn more about the generations who have lived and worshipped in Holme.
“You discover just how much people value the church.”
The churchyard itself contains the grave of a relative of Lord Nelson, adding another thread to the rich history connected with the site.
Alongside the restoration, St Mary’s will host a special programme of choral evensongs during August. The services, supported by grant funding, will feature former choristers from King’s College, Cambridge, and will be followed by refreshments, giving people an opportunity to meet and spend time together.
The project is also being documented by film-maker Nell Butler, who is recording preparations and the restoration work as it progresses.
The restoration comes during a period of vacancy for the church. Rachel said the project reflects both the determination of local volunteers and the importance of hope in challenging times.
“The churchwardens are keeping the churches going. At times what we have has been running thin, but we are still here.
“We are here for everyone, even those who are not churchgoers.
“There is hope.
“The fact we have raised this money while we are in vacancy is fantastic, but we take it a day at a time.”
Earlier this year, the Bishop of Lynn visited St Mary’s and preached on the theme of hope. As work gets under way, supporters believe the restoration will become a visible sign of that message, demonstrating what can happen when a community comes together behind a church that means so much to so many.