FOSB

The Friends of St Bartholomew's Church Lostwithiel
Registered Charity Number 1115047

Appeal

Please click on small images to enlarge them (and vice-versa)

Overview

The ancient stannary town of Lostwithiel occupies an important position in Cornwall's history. The Church of St Bartholomew has been at the forefront of historical events, both as a point of departure to the Mediterranean during the Crusades, and later during rigours of the Civil War. Thus St Bartholomew's Church symbolises the history of Lostwithiel and has also been a focus of Christian worship and social concern within the community for well over a thousand years. Sited in the heart of the community, this fine building is the most notable architectural feature in the town and attracts many visitors.

St Bartholomew's Church - North Door
Photograph © 2005 Jonathan Barker

The Building

This lovely church building has many wonderful features to cherish that make it well worth maintaining. For example the East Window is the tallest in any Cornish Parish Church. This and many other examples are depicted in a The Church Building - Some Features to Cherish.

St Bartholomew's Church - Interior looking southeast
Photograph © 2005 Jonathan Barker

Sharing the Cost

Despite their best endeavours, the cost of maintaining this Grade 1 listed building is more than the congregation can raise. The building enjoys a special position in the affections of many people outside the church's regular worshippers. The Friends of St Bartholomew's Church Lostwithiel (FOSB) was set up in 1995 to reach out and appeal to this wider community of supporters.

Mission

The Friends was established to assist in the restoration, preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement and beautification of St Bartholomew's Church and of the monuments, fittings, fixtures, stained glass, furniture, ornaments and chattels in the Church and Churchyard. For full details please see our constitution.

History

FOSB was originally set up in 1995. On 8 May 2006 FOSB adopted a new constitution and on 3 July 2006 this was registered with the Charity Commission, Registered Charity Number 1115047.

Achievements

 
St Bartholomew's Church Roof Restoration Autumn 2003
Photographs © 2003 Kitty Chanter Menendez

Between its inauguration in 1995 and the spring of 2008 FOSB has, by soliciting donations and running fund-raising events, raised approximately £100,000. Of this grants of £96,215 have been made to St Bartholomew's PCC to help them with the the following projects:

 
St Bart's Tower and Spire: Scaffolding and Close Scrutiny
Left: photograph by Douglas Steven, Right: photograph by Ian Philipson for Douglas Steven
Photographs © 2008 Douglas Steven

 
St Bartholomew's New Central Heating System
Photographs © 2005 Douglas Steven

Future

Our work is ongoing. For example, the church tower needs renovating and re-pointing, the cost of which is estimated to be £60,000. This project is now the main focus for our fund-raising efforts, though it must be noted that all the money we raise is accepted on the basis that it is for the ongoing maintenance of the church building as set out in FOSB's Constitution, not for making a grant for any specific project. With the generous support of the public we strive to enhance and maintain this lovely old church for the benefit of the present generation and for generations to come.

West wall damaged by water
penetrating from the tower
Photograph © 2006 Douglas Steven

Please Help

With the help of many supporters FOSB has achieved much during the last decade, but the task of keeping such a building weatherproof is ongoing, and when damp begins to penetrate, repairs become essential and urgent. This appeal is to all those who live in catchment area of the town and in the wider world beyond who care about this lovely ancient building and wish to maintain it.

What to do next

Please navigate to the Building page for more about the building and to the How to Help page to see how you can make a difference.