AN appeal has been made to the community to help secure the future of Tavistock Parish Church as it prepares to celebrate its 700th anniversary next year.

The Very Rev Dr Christopher Hardwick made the plea as he spoke at a buffet supper attended by 150 guests at the town hall on Friday night.

‘Moving forward we face a challenge,’ he said. ‘Last year it cost the church £170,000 to do all that we did. We currently have a funding gap of £19,000 a year — that is £365 every week, nearly £52 every day. We are entirely self-financing and receive no financial support from the Government, or the national church, or from endowments, and so we are looking as a matter of urgency to bridge that gap.’

He stressed that the church was working hard to reduce its deficit and the priority for its anniversary was to eliminate the existing deficit to secure a firm financial footing for the future.

‘To do this we need your help, please, to add to the support of those within the church.’ he said. ‘Can we dig deep?’

The supper, to launch a new programme for St Eustachius’ called ‘The Way Ahead - Supporting Your Parish Church’, included a sit-down meal, slideshow and musical entertainment by the choir, and vocal and piano duo, Gin and Pimms. The guest speaker was Canon Dr John Rea, James Teague gave an overview of finances and Katie Stevenson spoke about the Community Giving Scheme.

Dr Hardwick said church organisers were optimistic about the future and funds were already set aside for the first phase of the 700th anniversary project; making the vestry roof watertight.

He also outlined plans for a new gallery and toilets, improved heating and electrical and sound system and enhancing the church’s musical provision through a new chorister or organ scholarship scheme. There are also plans afoot for an enhanced programme of concerts and events, reinstating access to the church via the tower using landscaping and building a lych-gate to reconnect the church to West Street.

‘Other plans to mark our 700th anniversary through a variety of church and community events are progressing well and will happen,’ he said. ‘Next year promises to be a busy and exciting year!’

James Teague, a Tavistock businessman, said: ‘This is about building community. It’s about everybody. I am not a religious person and am not part of the worship — I don’t come from a religious sect at all. I have been working with St Eustachius’ for some years helping to optimise our income — our finances are under control as much as they can possibly be.

‘We can’t re-order the church if we are just about managing. The bread and butter is just about managing, so this is about the cream.’

Anyone wishing to support St Eustachius’ Church is invited to contact the parish office on 01822 61667, send an email to [email protected] or visit the church for more details.