Greetings
I do apologise for the long delay in updating this blog. The truth is that I was hoping for the
process to be finalised and that I could happily report on a sort of “Grand Re-dedication”
ceremony, but to date it is not finalised, and that ceremony has yet to be.
Let me fill you in on progress to date (January 2013).
Hazel and I took over the pastorate from Nick and Lynn Clevely in
December 2009, and Nick and family moved on to a new pastorate in Timaru, New
Zealand (after a short break in South Africa), where they are to this day.
While a remarkable effort had been made to raise funds, and to identify
the most urgent repairs (manse and schoolroom) so we could have a place to
live, and for the Jamestown congregation to meet, a sort of plateau was
reached, where for months not too much happened. Perhaps the reason was threefold:
1.
The repairs to date had taken their toll on many
members, who were simply exhausted and washed out, and needed a rest.
2.
Available funds had become exhausted, and more
fundraising was necessary. Various
projects were suggested, but so much was still needed (about £15,000). There
was about £12,000 in the “kitty” but a quotation for replacing the chapel roof
came to £26,000. This sum just seemed
too “far fetched” and out of reach.
3.
The church had lodged a legal claim against the St
Helena Government for damages. It was
learned that the government had received a survey report some five years before
that a major rock fall was imminent, and failed to warn us to take precautions
(for example, to insure). Secondly, the
rocks that fell came from crown land, i.e. “their” rocks fell on “our”
property. Finally, there was a precedence
for government assistance: the chapel wall had been breached in 1978 by a large
rock, and the government had paid for all materials to effect repairs. We were hoping that this claim would be
successful, thus obviating the need for further fundraising.
As 2010 rolled on, moves were made to do some fundraising, and the
church ladies organised a “sale” of clothing, cakes and other items. It was called a “Coffee Morning” and it was
held on Saturday 14th August 2010, exactly 2 years after the
rockfall, and a little over £600 was raised.
This was followed by other events, but the sum needed just seemed
unattainable....but our God is the God of the impossible, and His help was
called upon at church prayer meetings, Bible Studies, services and private
prayers.
Then came a blow. Our lawyer
called a meeting with our co-claimants and informed us that the government had
the resources to spend heavily, and had already gotten a legal opinion from a
firm of barristers in the UK, and had threatened us that if we proceeded with
the claim and lost, we would be liable to pay costs, which would run into big
money, since they would likely bring in barristers to argue the case. We felt obliged to withdraw the claim. We were on our own.
I remember early in 2011 feeling a sense of discouragement – in spite of
friends overseas, even previous pastors, making contributions, and encouraging
us. We were able to engage a man
experienced in stone walls to repair the damaged wall near the entrance to the
Schoolyard, and several months later to install an excellent gate (made by one
of our deacons) at the entrance.
Then a different kind of blow hit us in March 2011: A church member, working on the Falklands
sent a donation of £12,000! It was
unbelievable! But it was true. We now had the money to engage a contractor to
replace the chapel roof.
The chapel, prior to the rockfall, had a rather unsightly white painted corrugated
iron ceiling. If the 150 year old iron roof trusses were still good, they could
be open to view, giving the interior an all new look. The new corrugated iron
roof would be insulated for heat and noise and have a ceiling flush with the
roof. The contractors carried out the
work during September and October 2011, and we thought the end was in sight. But not yet!
The new roof is beautiful, and the interior delightfully cool. We were again short of funds, and there still remained
repairs to the windows, floor boards, balcony and front railings. Next, there were the light fittings, carpeting,
and finally the painting. But money was
coming in slowly. An ex pastor, now in
the UK, persuaded his congregation to donate their Christmas offering towards
our Restoration Project – approximately £600.
Another ex pastor made a personal donation of £1,000. A “Gospel Sing” using the high school
assembly hall was held, with the assistance of other churches on the island –
in particular the Seventh Day Adventists and Salvation Army, and some more
money was raised. Other events followed, even a few “Beetle Drives”. Money was
trickling in.
Early in 2012 a work party cleared out much of the debris in the chapel,
but other projects required our attention, including replacing the roof of our
Sandy Bay chapel, but we could not use Rockfall Restoration money for
that. The money was available, and the
work was carried out.
In June 2012, we received a quotation for repairs to the railings, floorboards
and windows by a local contractor, for £1,850 which was accepted, but to date the work has not been completed.
Meanwhile, the carpets and electrical fittings were ordered from the UK
with members generously donating the money for them, leaving the church to
merely cover freight charges. These are waiting boxed or rolled up in the Schoolroom. The last major expenditure will be to paint
the interior, and the funds are on hand.
We are nearly there! God willing,
2013 will be the year of the opening of the repaired chapel.
There are many other repairs yet to be carried out, like these old iron railings which are badly rusted, but one thing at a time...
The church was founded in 1845, and it has some unusual features. The “church” has comprised, almost from its
very beginning, of multiple congregations and centres of worship. At present there are three: Jamestown, Sandy
Bay and Head O’Wain, with a forth chapel, Knollcombes, currently not in
use. The island community is small (about
4,000 inhabitants) and the church too small to consider splitting into 3
churches. That was tried back in the
1930s, but it didn’t work out.
The church is small, with less than 40 members, yet with a core of
faithful and committed believers. The
average age of members is cause for concern (about 70), with a dearth of
younger members and adherents. If our Saviour
helped us to make repairs to our property, with the help of members, friends and
the worldwide church, will He build the real church by bringing in new and
younger people, as living stones, to ensure our Christian witness to future
generations? I believe so!
Thank you to all who prayed, helped, encouraged, gave, and simply took
an interest. It is our prayer that we
will, in the power of God, vindicate all your efforts by making a difference in
the lives of our island community, visitors and (dare we think it!) to the
world. God bless you.
(Please continue to stand by for further news updates)
Progress at the end of April is as you see below: the roof is now complete on the schoolroom but there remain further jobs on the interior of the schoolroom before we will be able to recommence our services inside. We are planning to install some spacious toilets and change-room facilities as well as a kitchenette.
