Positive Change at Charmouth

A West Dorset church has taken a massive step towards securing its future for the long-term thanks to a grant from a trust connected with the Diocese of Salisbury. 

St Andrew’s in Charmouth has been awarded a substantial grant of £370,000 for a major reordering of the church’s interior by the Erskine Muton Trust, which makes grants for Anglican church buildings in Dorset. 

The Rev’d Stephen Skinner, Rector of the Golden Cap Team, said, “This grant will help us make St Andrew’s fit for the 21st Century – and beyond!

“It will enable us to install new heating, flooring, chairs and a new sound system. We will also take the opportunity for a complete redecoration of the church, hopefully with a local partner. 

“This work will help us serve the wider community and our many visitors more effectively through Concerts, Exhibitions and our FreeXChange Café. 

“It will also provide our regular worshippers and our Golden Cap Team with a state of the art base for mission and ministry, whilst preserving the beauty and prayerful atmosphere for which St Andrews is treasured.” 

The Archdeacon of Sherborne, the Ven Paul Taylor, congratulated parishioners on their achievement, saying, “Huge credit goes to the Changing Spaces team at Charmouth and the Parochial Church Council, who have worked hard on these applications over the last two years. The Diocese will continue to support them as they move to detailed planning for the reordering.  

“People have been praying and serving their neighbours at St Andrew’s for 150 years, and this grant will help ensure this continues for at least another 150.” 

St Andrew’s has also submitted a matched bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for major structural work on the tower, and hopes to hear the result of this in February or March. 

Churches seeking support from the Erskine Muton Trust can find out more information from Elizabeth Wallis at Church House, on 01722 438665 or elizabeth.wallis@salisbury.anglican.org.