Holy Trinity Church, Tibberton re-opened in time for its Christmas carol service in a large part thanks to the Minor Repairs and Improvements Fund.
When parts of the barrel nave ceiling crashed to the floor in 2023, the main section of the church, known as the nave, had to be closed off on health and safety grounds. This left the congregation and the local community unable to use the building for large worship or significant life events such as weddings and funerals. With funds unavailable for a full repair, and the church building largely out of action, the PCC was concerned about the future sustainability of the building.
The PCC approached the diocesan Church Building Support Officer (CBSO), Rory Wilson, whose post is generously supported by the Archbishop’s Council.
Rory helped the PCC explore options for a cost-effective solution to keep the building open. Based on precedents elsewhere, a temporary solution was developed. This involved the installation of fabric panels beneath the failing ceiling to catch any falling plaster.
With the oversight of the appointed building surveyor, the costs associated with the installation were partly supported from the Minor Repairs and Improvements Fund, enabling the church to remain in use while plans for a full conservation repair programme are developed and applied for. It means that the community can continue to gather here for worship and events.
PCC member Neil Kinlay said: “We have been very thankful for the support of Archdeacon Hilary Dawson and the Church Buildings Team through the Minor Repairs and Improvements Fund. The Diocese of Gloucester’s Church Buildings Support Officer has been of great help [and] was able to come up with pragmatic, short-term solutions to make the building safe so that we could reopen it. The carols and Christingle services at the church were massively successful with standing room only and loads of positive comments about how good the church looked and how pleased they all were it was open once more.”
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Thanks to the support of Archdeacon Hilary and the Church Buildings Team, we were about to open our doors Christmas Eve and had a packed church for the carol and Christingle service.
That’s great to hear, Elizabeth 👍