The Restoration
St Nicholas’ Church
In the early hours of Palm Sunday 2008, St Nicholas’ church, Radford Semele, was broken into and set on fire. By the time the emergency services were called, it was too late to save anything. All we are left with is the shell of the building - everything else was destroyed.
St Nicholas’ was a Grade II listed church, enlarged by the Victorians from a medieval church that contained a Norman window and a 14th century tower.
The church was used widely by the local community and we are keen to restore and develop it so that it can be used again. In the meantime, we have been meeting in the village hall, starting new initiatives among children and young families with Messy Church and Quality Time. It has been an exciting opportunity, despite the pain and sadness of losing the church building.
Our Vision
The parish has been working hard to restore the church and we have received an insurance settlement that will go a long way to rebuilding it. However, our plans involve creating some facilities that will make the church a more usable resource for the wider community - toilets, a small kitchen, and an office.
And this is where we need your help ...
We need to raise £300,000 to make these plans a reality.
There are three areas of funding we need help with :
1. Extra Facilities 
The first is to cover the extra facilities we have included in the plans. The toilets, kitchen and office will enable us to use the church for a greater number of things in the future. We hope to be able to open the church more regularly during the day time, and offer it for midweek meetings and evening events - for which these facilities are essential. The office will mean that the priest in charge will have a base in the parish, as he/she is not likely to live in the old vicarage.
2. New Windows 
The second is to provide stained glass windows. The beautiful windows were all lost in the fire, but the insurance settlement does not provide enough to replace them. We are therefore trying to raise some extra money to put in some new windows that will enhance our worship, and give glory to God.
3. VAT 
The third element is VAT ! There is currently a government scheme in place which means we are able to reclaim VAT paid on the restoration work. However, this scheme is due to end in March 2011, and although there is a strong lobby to extend it, we are having to act as if it will not benefit us. Our building work will not start until later that year.
Will You Help?
Profits from the sale of Martin’s CDs will be given to St Nicholas’ Restoration Fund
