£194,000 raised to transform Frome church

THE people of Frome have helped raise over £194,000 for a project that will overhaul a Frome church, bringing it into the 21st Century.

The ‘Transforming Trinity Church’ project was launched in September 2011, and has now secured hundreds of thousands of pounds thanks to generous donations, pledges and gifts from local people.

Vicar of Trinity Church, Graham Owen said, “There has been overwhelming support from the congregation and the people of Frome.

“It’s a staggering amount to have raised. All the plans are subject to planning permission, but there’s a lot of enthusiasm to overhaul and upgrade the church.”

The project aims to “brighten up” the church by redecorating the interior, installing a new heating system, a new lighting system and flexible seating. The old church organ is to  be removed and replaced with a digital instrument, with an office and meeting room fitted into the organ chamber.

Graham said, “Around £700,000 is needed to complete the project and now, with nearly £200,000 secured, we can start to look at removing the organ in 2013.

“A whole host of fundraising events have been held and we have lots more planned.”

Graham has written and published his first book An Open Boat. Proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards the Transforming Trinity project.

Also, as part of the fundraising process, Trinity Church organised a coin trail in April.

People from all over Frome helped form the coin trail, which stretched from the altar of Trinity Church, to The Bridge Café. A total of £501.89 was raised on the day. But a number of anonymous benefactors decided they would match the £500 total. Now, £11,041.58 has been donated to Trinity Church thanks to the big coin trail.

Organiser Lesley Owen said the donations are “a little miracle.” She said, “The big dream is to make the Trinity Church building a better place for us and for all the community.”

If you would like to donate to the church project, then pop into Trinity Church on Trinity Street in Frome.