‘If we are to sustain Christ Church for the next 160 years, as a spiritual, cultural and community centre, we need your help and good will to restore it to its original splendour. In reality, the roof requires urgent repair and there must be renewal of the heating and lighting to provide more usable community spaces.

Benjamin Ferrey and a host of loyal parishioners over the last century and a half have left Kensington a precious inheritance in Christ Church. I commend this current Appeal to you and hope you will share in passing on this goodly heritage to those who come after us.’

~ The Rt Rev’d & Rt Hon Richard Chartres KCVO DD FSA, Bishop of London. Click here to read the whole of the Bishop’s letter.

‘In an increasingly secular society, churches like Christ Church need to go beyond the traditional delivery of the sacraments and support of regular communicants to sustain the congregation, sense of purpose and financial support that these historic buildings require. So, as a ward councillor, I was delighted when the Diocese of London made the commitment to give Christ Church a full-time priest and have been impressed by the way Mark and his family have made themselves part of the community. I have already seen an increase in the size of congregation and number of activities taking place in the church. On behalf of the Council, I very much hope that sufficient funds can be raised to restore the church and refurbish it so that it can continue to serve the local community for many years to come.’

~ Cllr Fiona Buxton, Queen’s Gate Ward, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Click here to read the whole of Cllr Buxton’s letter.

From Local Residents

‘As a parishioner for the last 50 years and President of the local residents’ association, I am delighted to support the Christ Church Community Appeal. The long overdue repair and restoration of the exterior and interior of the Church provides a wonderful opportunity to meet current and future needs of the community we serve. I hope you will also be able to help meet our challenging but achievable objective.’ ~ Peter Dixon, President, Victoria Road Area Residents’ Association

 

‘Christ Church has been very close to my family’s heart for over fifty years and it remains so for me and so many of us in our local community. The church sits at the centre of the village life of Kensington and manages to combine ancient and modern quite beautifully, welcoming people from every part of society. It is exactly what a church should be and it deserves to flourish.

With this fundraising it can continue to do so much good for the community and I am delighted to have agreed to become a Patron to the Christ Church Community Appeal’ ~ Charles Good. Chairman, Christ Church Community Trust

 

From Students

‘For many reasons, I feel very thankful for Christ Church Kensington. In my time studying at the Royal College of Music I have come to appreciate CCK’s active and positive presence in the Kensington area. Last year, as a new student in London, I felt very welcome and safe studying in South Kensington – a large part of this is due to CCK’s community events, caring ministers and loving members. New to the London and the UK, I was warmly invited to enjoy welcome dinners, evening parties and other events hosted by the church. Needless to say, this kind of atmosphere and culture allows students like me to feel at home, get involved and stay socially connected – especially in my first months living in a foreign country. For this, and many other reasons, I am happy to support Christ Church Kensington’s Restoration and Regeneration Project and their work in the Kensington community.’

~ Kyle Barnes, International Student

‘As an international student studying and living abroad for the first time, I was very daunted by the prospect of living in a city as large and busy as London without my family for support. Luckily for me, I found Christ Church Kensington and gained a surrogate family who made me feel included and welcome from the moment I walked through the doors, even though I wasn’t Christian. Christ Church Kensington allowed me to meet people of all different ages and backgrounds, to feel as if I was part of, and give back to, the community of Kensington and no longer feel like a student in a strange city far away from home.’

~ Georgia Scott, International Student

From Families

‘I have four young children and live in the area that Christ Church Kensington serves. Christ Church provides wonderful opportunities for parents to feel supported and part of a real community through their creche and sunday school groups and by making their building available for groups such as the ballet school to use. My two girls both attend the ballet school and we love that we can go to one right in the heart of the community, meeting other children and parents and encouraging our kids to develop an active and healthy lifestyle. I am very grateful for Christ Church’s central role in our community and enthusiastically support their Appeal.’ ~ Bettina Witheridge, local resident and school parent

 

As a long standing local resident I am firmly in support of the much needed restoration and improvement proposals for Christchurch. I am delighted to see the Church placing itself firmly in the 21at Century, ready to serve our warm and vibrant community in all its varied future needs. In addition, as a Thomas’s parent, I am extremely grateful for our strong links between Church and School and am keenly aware of how much current and future pupils will benefit from the dynamic new spaces and facilities proposed.  ~ Tavia Cottam, Local resident and school parent.