A major £314,000 scheme to restore and enhance a historic church has been completed.
A special thanksgiving service was held on Easter Sunday as St Edmund's Church in Kessingland, near Lowestoft reopened after being temporarily closed for 13 months.
Having been at the heart of one community for more than 500 years, Kessingland's parish church - a landmark for seafarers since the mid-15th century - held an official celebratory service following completion of repairs to its thatched roof.
Presided by the Bishop of Thetford, the Rt Rev Ian Bishop, the new thatched roof and the nave ceiling were blessed on Sunday.
Back in August 2018, an appeal was launched to 'Raise the Roof' at the historic church with the community rallying around to raise funds for a new thatched roof and associated repairs at the Grade I listed building.
With the 17th century thatched roof "in a dilapidated state" additional water damage to the buttresses at the church saw it officially declared ‘at risk’ and in danger of closure.
So, for more than five years a small project team of five has "stuck together through the highs and lows" to ensure completion of the project.
There was a major boost to the campaign in January 2022 as £168,000 was awarded from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Back in November 2022 the church was added to Historic England's annual Heritage at Risk register.
After "mammoth fundraising" and the support of villagers, a church spokesman added: "The project overall will have a final cost of around £314,000, considerably more than first was expected."
Work on the roof started in February last year as scaffolding was installed, with the church closed and services moving a short distance away to the Church Centre.
Rev Mandy Bishop said it felt "glorious" to return to the church.
She said: “We are delighted to complete this project.
"It validates the huge local support and effort that has gone into securing the long term future of this vital building for our community.
"St Edmund, Kessingland Parish Church seeks to serve its community from Cradle to Grave and besides providing services of worship, regularly stages community outreach events and supports local groups who use the Church Centre.
"Now, thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, and all donors and fundraisers the project has restored St Edmund’s roof so that it can continue to serve its community through the 21st century."
Thanking the community for its support, Rev Mandy added: "Together we did it, it's truly together we did it."
'RAISE THE ROOF' CAMPAIGN TIMELINE – 2018 to 2024
Started in August 2018 with Rev Janet Wyer raising awareness of the predicament and state of the roof, with repairs required.
Tenders went out for contractors as fundraising began with numerous activities within the community, many generous donations and a 'Batch of Thatch' campaign.
With Rev Wyer retiring in Easter 2019, Rev Mandy Bishop took over as Rector in September 2019.
Almost no fundraising was possible in 2019/2020 due to Covid.
In October 2021 an application was made to HLF, which was successful at the start of 2022.
Contractors - including a thatcher - sought alongside preparation work in 2022.
In January 2023 scaffolding was put up and external works began on drainage.
February 2023 saw the church close and Sunday services transferred to Church Centre.
Originally estimated to be completed September 2023, the works overrun due to state of roof when the old thatch was removed.
Late January 2024 the building was signed off and handed over from the contractors.
Celebratory service held on Easter Sunday, March 31 as the Bishop of Thetford blesses the new roof.
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