A church in Wimbledon held a fair this weekend to raise funds for much needed rennovations.
St. Mary’s Church, Wimbledon opened its doors to residents this weekend for a family fair.
Visitors had the opportunity to listen to the repaired church organ, or take a tour of the churchyard with amateur historian William Featherby.
Proceeds from the fair will go towards the church’s Renewal project.
The Renewal project involves the repair of the church roof and improving drainage at the church, a project estimated to cost £750,000.
Reverend Mary Bide said: “It is my hope that we will be able to create something beautiful for the future. However, we have to maintain the existing structures.”
Organiser, John Bush, said he estimates between 200 and 300 people visited the fair over the weekend and that 100 cream teas were sold on Saturday alone.
He said: “The purpose of the event was to show local residents what we do and to introduce ourselves to those that live in the parish.
“We especially enjoyed welcoming those who had not visited the church before.”
The fair included a Children’s Field area which had a number of stalls and games, including hoopla, skittles, and a popcorn stand.
Father of two Paul Hill, 36, said: “My kids really enjoyed it. They had had their faces painted and rang the church bells. It was a great family day out.
“Plus we had never seen the inside of the church. I’d definitely be up for coming back to the church again.”
St. Mary’s Church is one of the oldest buildings in Merton, and historian William Featherby was at hand to offer tours of the churchyard.
Many of the gravestones are protected as Grade II listed and a number of significant people are buried there including members of Winston Churchill’s family.
The restored church organ was played at the festival with an organ recital on Saturday evening.
For more information about what’s happening at St. Mary’s, please visit http://www.stmaryswimbledon.org/index.html.
