Here's our story...….On a leafy plateau, set on top of a hill, St Johns Church building has been the centre of Coleford town, in the Forest of Dean, for many generations. Now on Historic England's "At Risk" register, highest priority category A, it has now closed for worship and is disused. The volunteers of St Johns The Next Generation Community Association need your help to breath new life into the building so it can once again be at the heart of the community.

St Johns Church is a Grade II listed landmark building that can be seen from the north, south, east and to some extent the west. Gloucestershire Architect Frederick Sandham-Waller commenced building in 1878 using forest red sandstone and limestone dressings. On the edge of the Conservation Area in the Victorian part of town. This is emblematic of the time when the industrial history of the Forest of Dean was at its peak and local craftsmen contributed their skills to the build.

Proud of our heritage this Association has been formed by local volunteers who wish to restore and retain its heritage value through use for activities and arts and to improve the health and well-being of the community. Its currently on the open market in a “use seeking” period which ends September 2018 and we need your help with this first phase to build a sustainable business case to present to the Church Commissioners in a bid to procure and save this much loved building.

Picture a new story ...…... in this vast and once vibrant space, known for its great acoustic value, new plans will include a theatre, music and performance space, an art gallery, climbing wall, workshops and studios as well as retail space, a café, restaurant and sensory garden. St Johns will enable local people and visitors to the Forest of Dean to take part in the activities and gain social linkages, knowledge and understanding, improve fitness and cultural development. There will be opportunity to develop heritage crafts, skills, share traditions and offers potential for apprenticeships/training.

Why not add you story to St Johns by helping to give Coleford's heritage a future. Your support plays a vital role in keeping St Johns alive. Every donation made today will go into the community project and contribute towards the first phase and match fund the £7500 to find the professional help the volunteer committee members need. Let's keep St Johns story going for the Next Generations!

THANK YOU

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