Historic Wealden Church Saved by Crowdfunding Campaign
St Mary's Church in Hartfield has raised over £180,000 to repair its medieval timber roof after an urgent public appeal.
The medieval parish church of St Mary the Virgin in Hartfield — a Grade I listed building dating back to the 13th century — has been saved from potential structural collapse after a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign.
The church's oak roof timbers, some of which are original medieval beams, had been found to be suffering from both beetle damage and wet rot. Emergency surveys warned that without immediate intervention the roof could fail within two years.
The "Save St Mary's Roof" campaign launched in September and reached its £180,000 target in just eleven weeks, with donations coming from parishioners, local businesses, heritage bodies and even overseas supporters with family connections to the village.