Bolton News teams up with historic church to urgently raise £30k

Christ Church Walmsley in Egerton needs to find the cash after a corroded boiler leaked and flooded its boiler house in early December.

The village church’s heating system is failing, threatening the future of the historic building.

While temporarily repaired, church leaders warn that a complete failure of the current boiler is imminent.

The crisis comes after the parish already spent significant sums on essential roof repairs, leaving it struggling to fund the vital replacement alone.

The church, a historic Bolton landmark and community hub, could risk closing its doors if the building becomes unusable.

The Bolton News has launched a campaign to help spread the word and share the stories of those at the heart of this much-loved community church to encourage people to donate, no matter how big or small.

With so many online readers each month and a strong print readership, we aim to bring Bolton together to safeguard an important part of our town’s history.

‘There is no designated pot of money for many of the things churches need’

Kath Pearson removing buckets of water from the boiler room

We spoke with Revd Ian Hepburn, 49, the Team Rector in the Turton Moorland Team, which includes Christ Church Walmsley.

Revd Hepburn, who served as a paramedic for 14 years before entering ministry, said such unexpected challenges are part and parcel of church life.

“Having worked as a church warden, you learn very quickly that there will always be curveballs,” he said.

He added: “Joining a team with six churches, many of them historic and listed, there was always going to be potential for this sort of situation.”

The Bolton News Christ Church Walmsley (Image: Will Bartle/NQ)

While some funding streams exist for specific projects, Revd Hepburn explained that most essential costs fall directly on local parishes.

He explained: “There is no designated pot of money for many of the things churches need.

“Individual parishes have to do that work themselves.

“Although there can be support, in many respects, churches are both encouraged and required to look after their own finances.

“It’s incumbent on us to care for these buildings as best we can.”

Sitting beside Walmsley CE Primary School, Christ Church is a bustling community space, with the parish hall hosting regular police community drop-ins and yoga classes.

Encouraging residents through its doors, the church most recently hosted a popular Bridgerton-themed candlelit concert by Egerton Encore.

‘Festive Bridgerton by Candlelight’ event (Image: Supplied)

“When you walk through the gates, there’s the hall on the right, the school on the left, and the church up the hill,” said the reverend.

“It’s a tremendous site of learning, community and worship.

“This is a place for the community, in the community.

“We want it to be warm, welcoming and safe for years to come.”

He warned that the failure to raise funds could have a permanent consequence, with other churches across the country being repurposed or left empty due to not being fit for purpose.

“It always fills me with sadness to see a church that has been loved for so many years lost.

“There is history in the pews, where a grandmother has worshipped for years or where a couple was married.

“There’s a tremendous sense of legacy in these buildings.”

Donations

“We want to do our best to keep this wonderful church for the people of Egerton” (Image: Revd Ian Hepburn)

The community has already shown strong early support for Christ Church Walmsley.

A GoFundMe appeal has raised nearly £4,000 from just 38 donations, including one anonymous gift of £2,000, and an average of over £100 per donor.

“In church, we’re familiar with passing the offertory plate around, and people tend to give discreetly,” said Revd Hepburn, acknowledging the generous anonymous donation.

“Any donation, whatever the size, is a huge offering.

“The solidarity shown has been worth its weight in gold.”

How you can support the appeal:

Donate online by visiting www.gofundme.com/f/church-boiler-appeal.

Donate in-person by attending the weekly services held at 11am on Wednesdays and 9.30am on Sundays.

Support church events and keep up-to-date at walmsleyparish.org/christ-church.

Spread the word by sharing this story to help reach more potential supporters.

Christ Church Walmsley in Egerton

“Our church wants to see people flourishing, and we wish everyone a happy and healthy new year,” said Revd Hepburn.

“We want to do our best to keep this wonderful church for the people of Egerton.”

The Bolton News is proud to support community campaigns like this.

Regional Editor North West and Editor of The Bolton News Richard Duggan said: “Supporting our local community is at the very heart of what The Bolton News does.

“Time and again, we’ve seen what this amazing borough can achieve when we come together.

“This is our chance to make a real difference — to raise £30,000 and protect a piece of our town’s history for generations to come.”

Source – INDIA TV