Congregation needs a miracle to repair roof

APPEAL . . . Father Tony Mills, of Church of the Holy Family, with buckets full of rain water in the hall

A CHURCH congregation needs £18,000 for essential roof repairs on their popular community hall after battling leaks for six months.

The Church of the Holy Family, in Failsworth, has been using buckets to collect water that is filtering through the felt roof of York Hall.

About 20,000 residents use the Lord Lane venue each year for activities such as line dancing and aerobics as well as birthdays, wedding receptions and christenings.

Father Tony Mills said there is only so long they can prolong the inevitable. The leaks have worsened and the church needs to raise the money within the next month to protect the building.

Rector Mills said: "We have had leaks for six months and have been trying to patch the roof up for the last three weeks but we are fighting a losing battle.

"It is a felt roof that has been there for 46 years and has come to the end of its working life.

"There has been water coming through the ceiling and we are concerned about the oak flooring in the hall below.

Problem

"With it being a fairly dry summer we were not aware of the problem but the heavy rain and storms are making it worse.

"The time has come to bite the bullet and think about doing something more permanent."

A Stockport-based architect has assessed the damage and estimates it will cost about £17,000 to carry out the construction work without factoring in architect's fees and the cost of using recommended thicker insulation.

York Hall was built in 1971 when the existing church building was opened. It is used by a multitude of community groups including Failsworth Ken Yu Kai Club and Sam Bratby Dancercise.

The church of 90 to 100 members is able to put a maximum of £10,000 towards the total cost of the repairs and has also applied for a grant from the diocese.

Father Mills, who announced the news to the congregation on Sunday said: "We are getting desperate so we are going to have to take a leap of faith and hope the money comes in."

On learning the news, Debbie Joyce launched a JustGiving page online to help get the fundraising off the ground.

Debbie, a member for more than 30 years, said: "When I heard how much the repairs were going to cost I really wanted to help because the church has been a massive part of my upbringing.

"Father Tony Mills christened my son in 2011, did a vow renewal ceremony for my parents in 2015 and conducted a marriage ceremony for my sister in 2016.

"My son attended the Tuesday morning Songs for Tots group from only a few months old until he began school.

"I also use the hall to donate blood with my dad and it is my local polling station.

"All these activities take place in the York Hall and will be affected if we cannot raise funds for the repairs.

"Please get funding if you are a member of the congregation or local community, or if you've ever been to the church an event."

Donate at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/holyfamilyfailsworth.