CHURCH PRESERVATION GROUP FACES FUNDING CRISIS -
PROFESSOR CARL CHINN CALLS ON LOCAL PEOPLE TO HELP

Members of the St John's Church Preservation Group are appealing to their members and supporters to put extra effort into fundraising to save the historic grade II listed historic Kates Hill St John’s Church building following a massive dip in donations.

Deb Brownlee Chair of the Preservation Group "We have the real potential to achieve what seemed impossible and save this piece of Dudley heritage. St John's was closed down in 2002 on safety grounds and was deemed at the time to be of no architectural or historic interest. Demolition was a real possibility. The church is now a listed building and further surveys have shown it to be both safe and repairable. We are now working with the church authorities to find a future for the building, which could well include re-opening it as a church. However, we are staring a pyrrhic victory in the face as the church leaders are at the table with us but we haven't as yet produced the funds we said would be provided by our supporters."

The Preservation Group has experienced a dramatic down turn in donations since the Grade II listing was announced in May, as supporters perceive that the building is now saved and that support is no longer needed. Listed status does not bring any automatic funds neither does it provide total protection against demolition.

Deb Brownlee "Everyone seems to think that the St John's is already saved. Nothing could be further from the truth. Listed status helps us to prove that the building is worthy of preservation but getting the building listed is only the first step on a very long journey. We currently we need £15000 for an essential feasibility study using specialist church conservation and conversion architects and for community consultation. We need to be able to instruct these specialist consultants as soon as possible so that we can get the ball rolling but we don’t have the funds in place. The feasibility study is needed to convince the church authorities that the building should be re-opened and to be able to apply for Heritage Lottery funding. We also need £16000 for the urgent waterproofing works and £5000 to replace the lightning conductor both of which will protect the building against further damage. There is no absolute guarantee with so much competition that we will get lottery funding and at the end of the day as we always expected it will be largely up to our supporters to show that they really do care about St John's Church and to help us raise the money.”

Patron of the group Professor Carl Chinn has backed the call for more help. Professor Chinn, "I am sure that the people of the Black Country will support the St John's Preservation Group in its aim to bring this historic church back into full use. Even in these hard times I feel certain that the folk of this region will find innovative and dynamic ways to raise the funds that are needed.”

The Preservation Group are calling on supporters to attend Preservation Group fundraising events and also to organise events on their behalf, and to involve their companies, schools and social clubs. Supporters are also asked to send donations, collect their loose change, set up weekly standing orders and consider legacy giving.

• Local Historian and author Ned Williams will be supporting Preservation Group members on Saturday 22nd August at an information stall on Dudley Market, where leaflets and information will be provided and donations can be made. Ned Williams’ most recent publication ‘Dudley Rediscovered’ which features Kates Hill and the campaign to Save St John’s Church will also be on sale. Local War Veteran and first manager of the Churchill Precinct Mick Coyle, winner of the Frank Foley Award for community work will also be supporting the Dudley Market St John’s Church Preservation Group information event.

Donations can be sent to St John’s Church Preservation Group, The Old School House, St John’s Road, Kates Hill, Dudley, DY2 7JT. Further information about the work and how to donate and help can be obtained on the Preservation Group's website