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Friends of Burpham Church
Established in 2004 to raise funds to preserve the structure of St. Mary the Virgin, Burpham, West Sussex, both as a place of worship and as a resource for residents and visitors.
Our Purpose
The friends of Burpham Church was formed as a registered charity at the request of Peter Taylor, our former Vicar. He recognised that with no central source of funding for the building, it falls to the generosity of those who wish to preserve it, whether as a church or as a resource for the village and its visitors.
Raising Funds
Separate from the congregation, members of the Friends donate regularly to help keep St Mary’s building in good condition and to build a permanent fund to secure the future of the church building and churchyard for all to enjoy. Money raised is used exclusively for this purpose, it does not go to the diocese.
Preserving History
Our efforts focus on preserving the architectural and cultural history of the church, from restoring its stained-glass windows to maintaining its Norman features. Not surprisingly, given the age of the church, and artisanal nature of work needed, this can be expensive. Projects are chosen and led by the PCC from the Quinquennial report – an architect’s report detailing work to be done – and the FBC stands alongside the PCC to share the funding burden.
Supporting the community
As a key part of Burpham’s heritage, we work closely with the local community to keep the church at the heart of village life, not only as a place of worship but also as an historic monument.