The Church in our Community
The parish church stands in the centre of our village, a focal point of the community. Everyone who lives within the parish bounds has the right, in law, to be married or to have their funeral service in their parish church. Many families meet to welcome a child or adult to the church through baptism.
Do not worry if you are not a church-goer. This is about caring for the future of the church building. Everyone benefits from the church, hearing the bells, walking through the churchyard, having a moment of quiet contemplation or even just checking the time!
Preserve the Past: Secure the Future
The Westbourne Church Restoration Trust (WCRT) was created in 1992. It is a Registered Charity (No.1015673) and is administered totally separately from and independent of other church finances.
The Trust’s funds have come from the legacies and donations of people who value or have valued the church as the heart of the community. Every penny raised goes to preserve the fabric of the church as there is no provision for this type of expenditure from other Church of England funding.
The Trust has made a number of grants since inception including:
- Repairs to the church roof
- Repairs to the choir vestry roof
- Restoration to stonework
- Restoration of the tower and clock face
- Restoration and repair of the lychgate.
These grants have amounted to more than £100,000.
Support Westbourne Church Restoration Trust
Please consider supporting the Trust financially. You can:
Donate online by visiting https://gofund.me/54d5ad9a
Or by scanning
Donate direct. Our bank details are:
Lloyds bank
Westbourne Church Restoration Trust
Sort code 30-92-97
Acc no 02117369
If you wish to set up a standing order the form is here.
Kindly return to WestbourneChurchRestoration@gmail.com
or by post to: Westbourne Church Restoration Trust, 3 Manchester Terrace, Westbourne, Emsworth PO10 8SL
Provide for a legacy to the Trust in your will.
Recent Trust events
Memorial Exhibition and Sale of Cyril and Jane Shutler’s Art Work. This raised more than £2000 for the Trust. Huge thanks go to The Shutler family for their support and generosity and to Robina Richter who gave so freely of her time and energy to organise this.
Future events
The Trust has a presence at church events including the fete and the Church open day.
Further events will be planned in due course.
The current Trust chair is Mary Galloway. Thank you to Sue Douthwaite and all the previous chairs for their work and dedication to the Trust.