Introducing The Aspire Building Fund Appeal
OLEM - 132 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR!
Church Buildings, like people and their homes, need constant attention to ensure that the fabric is in good condition and that health and safety issues are addressed. We want to keep this beautiful church as a living and dynamic vehicle of praise to our God in the centre of a wonderful City.
We have been maintaining things over the years, trying to improve the sound, lighting and the restoration of works of art, as well as continuing to ensure this a place of worship and not a museum.
We have now come to a point in its life when OLEM needs some serious and expensive work done. There are two items which require attention over the next three years. As you see, they are all “Big Ticket” items. I remember Monsignor Tony Philpot of happy memory telling me before he died that when you need to do something at OLEM always add two zeros on the end of the suggested expense. That’s the voice of experience!!
The Rt Revd Mgr Canon E Harkness, OSB Obl
the immediate projects
Some of the very features that contribute to OLEM’s Grade One status (its fine exterior, many wonderful exterior stone carvings and the overall elegance of the building) are now under threat from weathering and traffic conditions. They require urgent attention now to preserve their aesthetic, cultural and spiritual value, but also to prevent them becoming a hazard to OLEM’s congregation and other users and visitors. There are two immediate and urgent projects:
1. Masonry repairs to the bell tower, including securing existing masonry and replacing crumbling and potentially dangerous finials and other attached carved stonework.
2. Urgent repairs to the south aisle roof to prevent water leakage into the south isle and nave.
This work has been costed at £1,000,000, including the lengthy construction of wrap-around scaffolding for the whole tower. It will commence in Spring 2025 and is estimated to take about 12 months.
completed projects
Thanks to the generosity of our donors thus far, we have been able to complete three important projects. These are:
1. A New Boiler System at a cost of £283,770 (£39,000 of which was for Asbestos Removal)
2. Repairs to Finials at a cost of £50,000.00
3. Repair to the Rectory Parapet at a cost of £300,000.00
how you can help
- Join Our Team
We have set up a dedicated Fundraising Committee but are always on the look out for new members. If you have administrative, marketing or fundraising talents, and plenty of enthusiasm and love for this beautiful church then WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please come and see Lisa in the Church Office to find out more or email olemoffice@rcdea.org.uk
- Make a Donation
As well as seeking to secure grants from trusts, foundations and other institutional donors, OLEM has created The Aspire Building Fund to enable individuals to contribute on a regular or a one-off basis towards the essential care of the building. We are displaying a “fund thermometer” in the Church and above to show the progress of the Fund. To make a one-off donation please click on the button below:
- Make a Regular Gift
We invite you to come to the heart of our campaign by supporting our fundraising efforts as a regular giver. By making a regular monthly donation you can make a huge difference to the appeal. If you wish to support the Aspire Building Fund by becoming a Regular Giver then please complete our Standing Order Donation Form using the button below. The form will open in a new tab. Please complete this form, save it to your computer, and then email it to olemfinance@rcdea.org.uk. You can also print this form out, complete it by hand, and post it to the address on the form. (Please note that it isn’t possible to complete this form on the mobile device.)
Please also complete a Gift Aid Form. Gift Aid is a government scheme which lets us claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate, effectively making your donation worth 25% more! It does not cost you anything extra to sign up to Gift Aid. This is because as a UK taxpayer you have already paid tax on the money you’re donating. Once we receive your donation, we get the tax you originally paid back from HMRC to top up the donation. The Gift Aid Form can be completed electronically online by clicking the button below.
- Make a Large Donation or Leave a Legacy
Should you wish to make a large donation or discuss other way in which you might help, then please contact: olemfinance@rcdea.org.uk