Our linked church of St Mary Axim, Ghana

You may recall that on 3rd April 2000 the roof of this church was blown off in a terrible storm and in the process the walls also collapsed.

We sent some money and the local people, mostly very poor fishermen, and small farmers raised enough for the repair of the walls and for the construction of a corrugated iron roof.

Earlier this year, the current incumbent, Revd Fr John Dickson wrote ‘I came to St Mary the Virgin, Axim…….to inherit a very great project of ceiling the church, wiring the entire church and decorating it. For the past year we have struggled to accumulate funds for the start of the project but little has been achieved. We have targeted 2008 to start and complete the ceiling …. Come over and help us.’

At present, without an inner ceiling the heat created by the ‘tin’ roof makes the church unbearable for use after 10am. The floor is of concrete and needs surfacing too.

Their Nursery school building is also in a deplorable condition. The roof leaks and the walls are cracked. There are over 250 children in 4 classrooms. They aim to build two additional classrooms as well as repairing the old ones, (which in this country would be condemned).

Fr John is appealing to people in Ghana and to us, their linked church for donations to make possible the restoration.

Our PCC have agreed to help. A raffle will be held in the Church Hall on four Sundays commencing September 7th. Please consider providing raffle prizes and help with the sale of tickets.

Fr Dickson’s letter and photos will be on display at the back of the church.

I feel that we who are so blessed with a fine church for our worship should be generous in our giving to our impoverished but faithful Christian brothers and sisters.

Please help so that they can finish repairing their church.

Margaret Symonds