30-05-2025
Cumbria church to raise £500,000 to restore historic stained-glass windows
A CUMBRIAN church is to raise £500,000 in order to restore and repair its historic glass windows.
A recent survey found that many of the windows at St Mary's Church in Wigton were in need of repair.
The church has a number of historic stained-glass windows including three locally-designed windows donated by Wigton-raised broadcaster Melvyn Bragg and a 1926 William Morris window.
One of the windows donated by Wigton native Melvyn Bragg (Image: Supplied) The clear glass windows in the church are the most in need of repair but the parish has already raised around £175,000 towards their target of £500,000.
In order to raise more awareness and money the church is holding a series of free events of the weekend of June 6, 7 and 8.
The clear glass windows are most in need of repair (Image: Supplied) On Friday, June 6, BBC antiques expert Paul Laidlaw will be valuing antiques and collectors' items, including jewellery, watches, militaria, and any antiques.
There will also be an organ recital by David T Shingler on Friday, June 6.
On Saturday, June 7, there will be a performance by the Border Concert Band and Sunday, June 8, at 3.30pm, there will be a Songs of Praise session hosted by two members of the Salvation Army.
The fundraising weekend will end with a quiz night hosted by comedian and musician, Tom Elliott.
St Mary's Wigton is run by the Reverend Richard Corrie who said that the fundraising effort was harbouring 'community spirit' in the town.
Reverend Richard Corrie (Image: Supplied) 'Church buildings take a lot of upkeep,' said Rev'd Richard.
'A lot of fundraising is needed to keep church buildings going these days, so it is hard work.
'The church here at Wigton is at the heart of the town and the community is pulling together to help.
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'A lot of the pubs have got our little collecting boxes in them, and people often pop into the church and just put the odd pound in our buckets.
'We're specifically putting these events on as most of them are 'non-churchy' because we want all the community to be involved, as the church building gets used by community groups and the schools all the time.'
St Mary's will continue to raise money throughout the next year and donations can be made online.
