Historic church windows saved

St Thomas’ Church

The Churches Conservation Trust has announced it has reached the fundraising goal of £7,000 for the restoration of the iconic St Thomas window at St Thomas’ Church, also known as Heights Chapel.

This beautifully crafted stained-glass window, a cherished feature of the Friarmere church, had unfortunately suffered damage from deterioration and instability due to environmental exposure and the passage of time.

But thanks to the generosity of individual donors and the local community, the funds needed to restore this historic treasure have been raised in just a short amount of time.

The project will involve expert conservators and stained-glass specialists, who will carefully repair and reinstall the window.

The repairs will safeguard the window's artistry and ensure its' place in the heritage of the area for years to come.

Work is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with the window expected to be reinstated in Summer 2026.

Charlotte Mee, of the Churvhes Conservation Trust, said: ”This achievement is a real testament to the wonderful community around Heights Chapel and how much value the church still holds.

"It has been wonderful to see so many people come together to support the future of this window and the church.

"The fundraising is a true testament to a community committed to supporting the chapel.

"It’s wonderful the funds were raised in such a short time.

“The Churches Conservation Trust extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the campaign.

"This marks a significant step in preserving the legacy of Heights Chapel and this treasured window for many generations to come.”

Over the years, the chapel has featured  in major films, including Jamaica’ Inn and "A Monster Calls," which had Oscar-winning Liam Neeson playing the voice of the monster, and also starred Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones and Lewis MacDougall.

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