Building Project Appeal

What has happened to our Building Project Appeal?

 

We suffered a setback in June 2025 when the Lottery ‘Heritage Fund’ turned down our application for substantial funding.

 

However, there are more urgent funds needed right now, for a replacement eco-heating system in time for the onset of another winter. Our PCC has acted promptly by commissioning Oliver Riley who is a mechanical heating engineer.

 

The role of our PCC Fabric Committee (Simon Morris, Chair) is invaluable in reviewing all the technical planning advice.

 

The Building Oversight Group (Stephen Cole, Chair) is looking at our overall strategy and fundraising.

 

Friends of St Mary’s (Nick Cottam, Chair) are helping with potential heating grants.

 

Please take time to read the display in church (or continue reading below) thoughtfully and prayerfully.

 

Thank you,

Fr Nigel (Rector)

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New Heating Proposal

Here is a précis of where we are August – September 2025

 

Statement of Need (for approval at the DAC)

 

In November, 2024 the four (Keston C110) condensing boilers at St Mary’s Church, Woodbridge, failed (installed in 2006 when the gas supply was fitted) and spare parts are no longer made.

 

Since then we have consulted our Diocesan Net Zero Officer and DAC Secretary throughout to ensure that we can design and install a new heating system in time for this coming winter.

 

In our Inspecting Architect’s recent Quinquennial Inspection (May 29 th 2025), Section 4, he describes this as “The only significant urgent item”. To this end, our PCC appointed Oliver Riley as our Heating Engineer / Consultant and Adrian James Acoustics Ltd as our Sound Consultant.

 

We wish to comply with the Church of England’s policy of not allowing the installation of new fossil fuel boilers and achieving net zero by 2030, as well as maintaining all our winter services ahead.

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Statement of Significance

 

St Mary’s Church is Grade 1 at the heart of the town, just off Market Hill. It is open to the public every day and very well visited – not just for regular services but also by tourists. It is also an attractive venue for regular concerts. The recent Quinquennial highlights descriptions of the Church by Pevsner and Munroe Cautley, and last year a magnificent five-volume report on the interior furnishings was completed by our local Church Recording Group, to public acclaim.

 

The Boiler House is not particularly significant architecturally but described by Nicholas Jacob, Inspecting Architect, thus:

“The small brick vaulted and floored chamber is reached by a set of external steps on the south side of the church by new lead clad flaps above oak louvred sides…

 

Already the incoming electrical supply has been upgraded to a 200A 3-phase supply. Our recommendation is to aim for a system that provides background heating from air source heat pumps that maintains the temperature to 12 – 14 degrees C and to boost this for services and other events during the winter using direct electric boilers (sited in the existing boiler room).”

 

It is our wish that the two external ASHPs on the south side of St Mary’s Church will preferably be freestanding and ‘naked’ i.e. unobscured to permit greater air flow. We will show that visually they will be hidden from view on the public’s approach to the north porch entrance from either Market Hill or Church Street.

 

Our PCC also hope that the electricity used could also be balanced (at a later date under separate Faculty) by installing PV panels on the south aisle and nave south roofs possibly combined with battery storage. (This concurs with our Diocesan Heating Adviser’s Report of 11/08/2023). Mr Jacob concludes: “The great advantages of this option is that it uses the existing radiator system (less cost and embedded carbon) and keeps the fabric dry and in good condition, keeps the organ in tune and produces a more comfortable environment for people.” We will also show the number and location of additional ‘matching’ radiators required (having ruled out the option of any underfloor heating).

 

The Rev’d Fr Nigel J Prior (Rector)

11/08/2025

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Permissions Needed

 

Our first port of call is our own Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). The Statements of Need & Significance summarise well our direction of travel.

 

We also need:

Planning Permission from East Suffolk Council

Consultation with the Amenity Societies, especially ‘Historic England’

 

The DAC next meets on 4th September 2025. We await their formal advice before we proceed to a formal Faculty Application!

 

Jesus said:

 “Ask, and will be given to you;

seek and you will find;

knock and it will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7

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Some Costs

 

These will be revealed as soon as the chosen Contractor is selected (and any Professional Fees will also be added). They are also urgent for our different Grant Applications.

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What about Solar Panels and a new Church Toilet, etc ?

 

These plans are now being finalised along with new costings to form

 

PHASE 2

 

We are indebted to our Architect, Henry Freeland, & QS, Connor Baker, for their continued professional involvement.

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What about St Mary’s House?

 

The much needed refurbishment and renewal of this tired Parish resource will be the most expensive part of this Appeal, so will form:

 

PHASE 3

 

 The Heritage Fund has not closed the door on helping with this…so it is a case of ‘wait and see.’

 

Please remember the PCC and our Team of Helpers in your prayers.

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Our Appeal Prayer

 

“O Lord God, when Thou givest to Thy servants to endeavour any great matter, grant us also to know that it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same unto the end, until it be thoroughly finished, which yieldeth the true glory; through Him who for the finishing of Thy work laid down His life, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.” (attributed to Sir Francis Drake)

 

Thank you to our Benefactors (to date):

Dr James Harper RIP, The Honorable Jill Ganzoni RIP, Lady Wade-Gery, Griff Rhys Jones, Beryl Linsey RIP, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation (and to our anonymous donors)

 

The need to act is urgent

 

  

Words of Support

 

“I am pleased to offer my full support to the Parochial Church Council (PCC), congregation, and all those who support St Mary’s Church, Woodbridge, in their plans to install a low-carbon heating system. These proposals have been carefully considered, well-researched, and thoughtfully developed to ensure they meet both the environmental and practical needs of the church.

 

St Mary’s is a sacred space at the heart of Woodbridge, not only a place of worship, mission, and ministry but also a vital centre for community life. Its beautiful setting and exceptional acoustics make it an outstanding venue for concerts, cultural events, and gatherings that enrich the town and bring people together.

 

The proposed heating system will enable the church to continue offering a warm and welcoming environment for all who enter—whether for prayer, celebration, reflection, or community engagement. This initiative reflects both good stewardship of creation and a deep commitment to ensuring that St Mary’s remains a vibrant, hospitable, and sustainable resource for generations to come.”

 

Archdeacon Rich, St Edmundsbury & Ipswich Diocese

 

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The former Bishop of Dunwich (now Exeter) said:

 

“St Mary’s is at the heart of Market Hill and this is a fantastic plan to bring new life to an important aspect of the heritage of Woodbridge. Most importantly, more people will be able to enjoy this beautiful site…”