Parishioners launch fundraising drive to save landmark church

St Matthew’s in Boulevard has been a focal point for the west Hull community for 141 years and has the only brick-built spire in the North of England, which can be seen from as far away as the south bank of the Humber.

It was closely associated with the fishing industry and is also known as “the stadium church”, given its proximity to the KC Stadium, while it has other long-standing links with Hull City AFC and Hull FC, the clubs that play there.

But now the church is in financial crisis and could be forced to close unless it can raise £64,000 for a major restoration project that would transform its fortunes.

Reaching that total would give access to a match-funded grant from English Heritage to begin the first phase of work, although it is estimated the final bill could be more than £600,000.

Churchgoers are now urging residents and the business community to show their support by becoming a Friend of St Matthew’s and take part in fundraising events.

Parishioner Betsy Kitching said: “When you come into Hull the spire is the first thing you see. It’s important that people in the area who pass the church every day know about this and that the people of Hull try to do their very best to save it.

“It’s in a terrible state but it will be a very sad day if this church disappears off the landscape.”

Mrs Kitching said she hoped the Diocese of York – who some fear wants to close St Matthew’s – would support the appeal.

“This church means as much to us as York Minster does to them,” she said.

Visitors do not have to look hard to see how urgent the work is.

Two huge cracks running from floor to ceiling have opened up on opposite walls near the front of the church, stained glass windows near one crack appear to be falling in and a war memorial window has lost much of the dignity with which it was invested.

The first phase would be to repair the spire and tower, where the masonry is failing, but the building also needs other essential work to bring it to an acceptable standard.

This includes an electrical rewiring job, expected to cost £50,000, while the solitary toilet does not have disabled access.

Plans also include moving the font from near the door to the front of the church and creating a community cafe and offices.

The pews may also be replaced by moveable chairs that would allow the church to be used for other community activities, all of which are intended to help address its perilous finances.

Although it has savings of nearly £40,000, it is losing about £13,000 a year and has annual running costs of about £25,000.

Treasurer Walter Kitching said: “At this rate we can possibly carry on for another three years then end up bankrupt.”

It has to pay £1,600 every month to the diocese, but is paid £9,000 a year by mobile phone network O2 to host a mast in its tower.

St Matthew’s has a healthy and stable congregation – 40 people attended its last Sunday service and it is full when its affiliated cubs and scouts are on parade – but its potential earnings are hampered, Mrs Kitching said, by a public phone box installed outside the main entrance by city telecoms firm KC some years ago.

As well as limiting parking it is an incongruous feature to appear in wedding photographs and it is also thought to put undertakers off from taking funeral services to St Matthew’s.

The church has hosted just two weddings over the last year and one funeral – and that was for Pat Suggitt, who ran the Brownies at St Matthew’s for more than 40 years.

The church is to host coffee mornings from 10am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and also plans jumble sales and book sales.

A spokesman for the diocese said: “The Diocese of York is working with the parish to see how renovation of St Matthew’s Hull can be funded. There is currently a review of mission and ministry for the work of the Church of England in churches on that side of Hull at the current time.

“The review of mission and ministry has only just begun and no decisions have been taken regarding any churches in this area, therefore it would not be appropriate to comment further on any funding requests, though conversations with the parishes involved will continue to find a suitable way forward.”

To become a Friend of St Matthew’s and support the campaign, call Betsy Kitching on (01482) 326701.

VICAR HOPING FOR SOLUTION

SERVICES at St Matthew’s are led by the Rev Tony Cotson, also vicar of St John the Baptist’s Church.

Mr Cotson said he hoped a solution could be found although St Matthew’s was in a difficult position.

He said: “The diocese has always said it would be sad to close any church, but we are not at that point yet. We are looking at all the options before us. What the church needs to do is look for funding and support in order to go ahead with the building project. The congregation are looking at the options and seeking advice and support from the Diocese of York.

“The church has been in a poor state of health for a long time and we are at the point where we have to do something about it.”