ST ALFEGE - Friends

St Alfege > Friends of St Alfege

Just over 25 years ago, a group of people who loved or who took a warm interest in this parish church of Greenwich were considering how best they could support St Alfege Church. Although they were not all regular worshippers, all appreciated the importance of St Alfege to the life of the local community. They decided to set up the Friends of St Alfege.

Each Friend pays a small annual subscription, and this money is used to pay for minor works that would not normally be dealt with by the church. Like most churches, St Alfege Church is always short of money and cannot always afford work that is not immediately necessary for the upkeep of the church. It is not part of the remit of the Friends of St Alfege to undertake any major tasks but the Friends do make a difference in small ways to improve aspects of the church that enable it to function better.

In recent years, the Friends have paid for the refurbishment of the Vicar's Vestry, as it was thought important that the clergy should have a comfortable and welcoming space in which to receive people, such as couples wanting to be married at St Alfege, or parents wishing to make arrangements for the christening of their children. The Friends refurbished the sacristy, too, for the better storage of altar brasses and reserves of communion wine.

Several years ago, after the church was completely rewired, the Friends arranged and met the cost of installing the iron candle-holders that help to illuminate the church at candle-lit Christmas services every year.

The Friends of St Alfege also arrange occasional social functions, such as trips to places of interest like the Thames Barrier, and Christmas carol concerts. The most popular informal event is the annual summer garden party, hosted either by members of the church or at the Vicarage.

Since its inception, the Friends of St Alfege have become an important part of and a great benefit to life at St Alfege Church, and it is hoped that this can continue. New members of the Friends are always welcome. If you would like to join the Friends of St Alfege, please download and complete the application form and return it with your subscription (cheques should be made payable to "Friends of St Alfege") to Ray Jordan (address given on the form).

ST ALFEGE CHURCH

St Alfege > Friends of St Alfege