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 COMPLETED 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 from becoming a hazard to OLEM’s congregation and other users and visitors. There are two completed 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 aisle and nave.

The Aspire Project and South Aisle roof repairs were completed earlier this year at a final cost of approximately £984,694.34, which was below the original estimated budget of £1,000,000. This significant achievement reflects the careful stewardship of parish resources while successfully delivering essential conservation and restoration works to safeguard the future of our church.

Update on Donations Received and Grants - 2025

Thanks to your incredible generosity and countless anonymous donations. We have been awarded grants from The Albert Gubay Foundation of £250,000 and the National Churches Trust of £50,000

Up to January 2026, we’ve raised £734,491.16, of which £283,274.83 is from donations, including large anonymous donations by individuals with words of thanks acknowledging their amazing generosity, and £451,216.33 from grants/funds.

Your donations are helping to restore the church of the future. With your continued support, we’re not just rebuilding walls—we’re restoring community and heritage.  

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

4. Aspire Project and South Aisle roof at a cost of £984,694.34

how you can help

- Make a Donation

As the Aspire Project has now been successfully completed, our focus turns to the next phase of preserving and safeguarding our church through the EndsUp Building Appeal. This appeal will support essential conservation work to the central tower, the east and west apses, and the Lensfield Road elevation, helping to protect these important parts of our Grade I listed building for future generations.

While we will continue to seek financial support from trusts, foundations, and other grant-making bodies, the success of this project will also depend upon the generosity of parishioners and friends of OLEM. To support this work, we have established the EndsUp Building Appeal Fund, enabling individuals to contribute either through regular giving or a one-off donation.

- 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 EndsUp Building Appeal 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