A HUGE donation has sent our appeal to save the Accrington Pals Memorial Chapel soaring past the £10,000 milestone.
The £3,000 comes from Peel and Barnfield Area Council, whose chairman, Councillor Graham Jones, said: “As ward councillor for Peel, in which St John’s Church stands, I was very concerned about the chapel.
“You hear a lot of stories about churches closing and this has obviously been very disheartening.
“We have been working very hard to see what Peel and Barnfield could do to save the chapel, which is why we agreed to allocate £3,000 to the fund.
“It is important that we save the church which is a beautiful piece of architecture. It is very heartening to see all the money which has been pouring in from people who want to save the church and chapel and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed so far.”
In another significant development this week, Accrington Civic Trust pledged its support to the appeal and sent a cheque for £100.
Chairman Alan Benson said the issue had been discussed at the annual meeting.
He added: “Members expressed their deep sadness and concern at the difficulties being experienced by St John’s Church and at the closure and possible redevelopment of Cannon Street Baptist Church – two of the town’s most prominent and elegant buildings.
“They felt that St John’s should definitely be kept open as it is the only really appropriate place for a permanent and suitable memorial to the Pals.
“It also has a considerable and enthusiastic congregation who, along with the Observer, are to be congratulated on the efforts they are making.”
The fund now stands at £11,650 after just six weeks.
WE ARE are aiming to raise £50,000 to save the Pals Chapel and the beautiful and historic St John’s Church in which it is based.
The appeal has been supported by Hyndburn Council leaders, Greg Pope MP and the Royal British Legion.
The 143-year-old church on Addison Street has been temporarily closed because of electrical faults.
Our target of £50,000 would guarantee its immediate future and an application has been made to English Heritage to meet the rest of the estimated £140,000 repair costs for the Grade II listed building.
The Pals Chapel was established in 1992 and a service has been held there every year since.
This week’s donations have come from: Accrington Civic Trust £100; C Dawkins £25; E Chadwick £50; J V Rock £25; Miss S W Cheung £50; D C S Cheung £100; Anon £100; Mrs P Fielding £100 in memory of her dad Dennis who died during the Second World War; Ann Barlow £10; Miss W Cheung £50; Brendan French £20.
We also sold £21-worth of Christmas cards and received £7.62 in our front office collection tin.
