Friends of St Thomas Church Lymington

A church building has existed in a dominant position at the top of Lymington High Street since the 13^th century, and it has been extended several times to meet the needs of an expanding population.  In 2006 the church was upgraded to a Grade II* listed building such is its value and importance to the town.  With an increasingly secular society and a much-reduced church membership, and despite the fact that the town population continues to grow, the cost of maintaining the fabric of the church building has become an impossible burden for the parishioners alone to bear.

Against this backdrop, the Friends of St Thomas Church was formed as a Registered Charity in 2016 to reach the wider community, to reach those who value the church architecturally and historically, also perhaps for an occasional family event but not for regular worship. 

The Friends’ Constitution states that the Charity exists to promote and support the restoration, preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement and beautification of The Church of St Thomas and of the monuments, fittings, fixtures, stained glass, furniture, ornaments and chattels in the church and churchyard belonging to the Church.  That is a very tall order!

Money is raised mainly through the annual Christmas Tree Festival, held over five days in early December where local businesses, charities and individuals sponsor one of the sixty trees that decorate the Church.  Musical entertainment, refreshments, sales tables and the Church’s own Christmas cards add to the enjoyment of the event.

Since its inception, the Friends have made financial contributions to the PCC in excess of £65,000. Assisting with the costs for repairs to the Cupola, the west end outside wall and the sliding glass doors from the Church Hall. With the support of the Lymington community, The Friends hope to help maintain and improve the fabric of St Thomas Church for our generation and for those yet to come.