A COMMUNITY group has been set up to avoid the closure of a much-loved church in Bude.

St Michael’s All Angels Church in Bude is at risk of closing due to a lack of money. Therefore a new community group, the Friends of Bude Haven Parish Church, has been set up to raise money and stop this iconic local church from closing for good.

As he announced the launch of a new community charity, the Friends of Bude Haven Parish Church (FoBPC), Rupert Brendon said: “For lack of money, 25 C of E churches close annually, and this could happen to St Michael’s All Angels, Bude Haven.”

“Most of us are not church goers, but we would feel the loss of our parish church, for the comfort it brings to many, the joy of marriages and baptisms, and the solace at funerals,” said FoBPC Trustee, Jenny Westaway. She added: “I would also miss the bells, sounding out the hours, ringing out old years and ringing in the new. For nearly 200 years, the church has been a beacon, and a haven for those in peril on the sea.”

Trustee Gail Brace, who heads the church committee who look after the Fabric of the Church and joins FoBPC to provide liaison with the PCC (Parochial Church Council), said: “It is right that our small congregation of 25 to 30 people, pay the £23,000 annually, towards the cost of clergy, but the additional £12,000 for the cost of insurance, utilities, and repairs is too much for us to bear.

“The church is used for community concerts but we have no budget to provide much needed wheelchair access, and toilets for the disabled.”

“The FoBPC charity is not about faith, but fabric,” said trustee, Pearl Mead, FCA, of the accountants Metherell Gard. “According to the FoBPC Constitution and Rules, none of the monies raised can be used for religious purposes but solely to preserve and enhance the fabric of the building. A separate arms-length charity ensures that money raised by FoBPC does not get co-mingled with total church finances.

“HMRC has recognised FoBPC, as a charity for tax purposes. This brings in additional funds via Gift Aid from donors who are tax-payers. FoBPC follows other charities set up to help preserve the buildings of parish churches such as Idlicote in Warwickshire and Winchelsea in Sussex.”

Trustee, Kingsley Bryant, added: “I am committed to helping Bude to remain a vibrant community — so many small Cornish towns have decayed into little more than charity and coffee shops.

“Bude Sea Pool is an example of what can be done — we have followed their example to raise funds, by selling individual memberships, as well as corporate sponsorships. Details of giving and how to get involved can be seen at our website www.fobpcbude.org. Bude Parish Church is a Grade II listed building and one of the oldest and finest in Bude. It is worthy of preservation.”