The Friends & Joining
The Friends was started by a small group of people, formed from Church members and from people outside the church. Our aim is to ensure that this very special building is kept in good heart, ready to serve the community in Penarth for years to come – as a spiritual place of worship, as a place for community events, and as one of Penarth’s most important buildings.
The burden of maintaining a building the size of St Augustine’s is daunting for the current congregation, which is smaller than when the church was built in 1866!
Many churches faced with similar problems are bringing together church people and those who don’t go to church, in order to create a solid group of Friends prepared to raise funds, get the church better known and used, and enjoy themselves at the same time.
St Augustine’s can be so much more than a building that is closed for most of the week – but it needs money and ongoing maintenance to preserve it and ensure its long-term survival.
Why do we need a Friends group?
The Friends of St Augustine’s is an independent body, approved by the Parochial Church Council. It is made up of a combination of church members and members of the wider community. It has its own bank account and is a ‘not for profit’ charity that will apply for charitable status once its income exceeds £5,000.
All funds raised by the Friends go towards the maintenance of St Augustine’s church, its organ and churchyard
What are the Friends trying to achieve?
- To raise money to support the Rector and the Parochial Church Council in maintaining St Augustine’s in keeping with its architectural heritage.
- To preserve the building for the long-term future, and ensure that it is better known and used by everyone.
- To provide support for the care of the churchyard.
- To provide additional help when a particular need is identified.
- To build links between St Augustine’s and the local community.
- To provide events that will be of interest to the wider community.
- To stimulate interest in William Butterfield as an important Victorian architect.