Parkgate is a small village and Conservation Area on the Dee, in the Diocese of Chester and the Parish of Neston, South Wirral. At the centre of the community is the sandstone church of St Thomas, built in 1843 and closed in 1994, having been declared structurally unsafe. Parkgate has a population of about 4,000 people of all ages and a high proportion of senior citizens but it has no Community Hall or Heritage Centre. In 1988 a poll showed that of the 422 households who responded, a substantial majority wanted St Thomas’ to be preserved as a focal centre of the village for churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike. In 2001 the Bishop’s Trust was formed under the patronage of the Bishop of Chester and with the support of the Family and Friends of St Thomas, the Parkgate Society and the Parkgate Preservation Trust, and  works in partnership with the community and with the Vicar of the Parish of Neston of which St Thomas's is a part.

Its objectives were to repair and make safe the building (Phase 1) and to renovate and equip the interior for use not only as a place of worship but mostly as a much needed community centre for people of all faiths and denominations, or none, who live and work in Parkgate (Phase 2).

Phase 1 was completed in 2004 at a cost of £123,000: £56,000 coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other grant-making trusts; and £84,000 from the Parkgate area. English Heritage has pronounced the building sound for the next 100 years. It has also been declared a Grade 2 Listed Building. We are now concentrating on Phase 2 of the project and on raising the money needed to extend and equip the building for use as a community centre. This will involve building extensions for a washroom and lavatories; for a cloakroom, offices and stores; fitting-out and equipping a small kitchen and pantry; installing new heating and lighting; providing soft furnishings, tables, chairs, sound and visual equipment; facilities for the disabled and a complete refurbishment and redecoration of ceilings and walls. Of the £210,000 required, £91,400 has already been raised, (to January 2008) leaving £118,600 still to raise. We also want to endow the building with a capital fund to secure its future condition. But funding it all depends on the generosity of donors. Please click on the Target link for the up-to-date amount required to complete this stage.

Now that we have the funds to start work on Phase 2, we are also turning our attention to the tasks of managing and promoting the project and to planning the initial programme of activities. This will start with accommodating local society meetings and lectures and a standing display of local heritage material and information. This could then be followed by music recitals, film shows, local art society exhibitions, craft demonstrations, indoor games and advice-talks and sessions for those with special needs. This combination of cultural and leisure activity and the very special opportunity of returning Christian worship to the community, will provide a unique source of support and enrichment for families, people living alone, visitors and for local societies and special interest groups. This is a very worthwhile project and worthy of your support.

St Thomas's is going to be a success and you can be part of ensuring this building is preserved as an active centre for the community for future generations. There is an energetic community fund-raising programme and a lot of support from local businesses. You can help with fund raising events locally. Click the Home page for some future events. We depend on your generosity for the costs of the project and the endowment funding. Click the How to Donate icon for information on donations and how to get in touch if you would like to help.

Gift Aid and other tax efficient methods increase the value of your gift.

We welcome donations from private individuals, corporate bodies and charitable foundations. We also welcome legacies.