Here you will find information about the St Sampson's Unlocked project and much more.
Bells History and Campaign Update
St Sampson's Unlocked project. Update 2024
Lets Celebrate. press release April 2024
If you would like to donate click here
St Sampson's Church is an amazing building in the small rural parish of South Hill. It holds a special place in the lives of many people and is in need of repairs and improvements The St Sampson's Unlocked project will preserve the heritage of the building and that of South Hill community, by making the building warm, dry, draught free and adding toilet and kitchen facilities. We want the community to use this building for many activities and events. It is a medieval grade 1 listed and has a wealth of fascinating history. There has been a Christian presence here for over a 1000 years. There is a memorial stone dated 500 AD. It is thought probable that St Sampson built a monastery here and Bishop Trelawny was rector here.
The wider community value St Sampson's and have suggested over one hundred uses for it, but we need to make the building weather proof and fix the roof, the ceiling, the windows (completed September 2023), the tower, the floor and most importantly install a toilet and kitchen so that everyone can fully use this amazing place.
Over £3000,000 has been raised towards the £600,00 needed.
Our Vision:
That the church will be an accessible Christian presence in the community, drawing people in by its beauty, enfolding people with the warmth of its welcome and enabling people to experience the grace of Jesus Ch
rist, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
Our Mission: Reach Out, Welcome In, Tell the Story.
Our restored windows:
Bell dismantling work 2021, in preparation for restoration:
Below are a few photos of work we have been doing to start to make the building a better space for hospitality and community use - moving the font and some pews to make space at the back of the church and bringing in a mains water supply
Moving four pews
Moving the font
Our twelfth century font looking much happier now it has moved from its dark corner at the back of the church.
Water and Light - Digging the trench for mains water and wiring for lights along the church path.
Fun and fundraising:
Community Beating the Bounds walk
A lunchtime stop for pasties
Tea & Buns back at the church. Thank you to Pete & Dave for organising the walk.
A Grand Day Out at Stoke Climsland - traditional fete in the Old Rectory garden - thank you to our friends at Stoke Climsland for supporting this and for all their help.
2018 The community meeting which started the project
published in the Church Times by Judith Ayers
The first phase of the bell restoration