Hurley Village Gala
Raise
the
Roof
St Mary the Virgin Church in Hurley has stood at the heart of our village for centuries, with its origins dating back to the 12th century as part of a Benedictine Priory. Over the years it has seen major changes — from 15th-century rebuilding, to 17th-century additions by Richard, 1st Baron Lovelace of Hurley, to the 19th-century restoration led by Henry Hakewill. Built from field flint and clunch with dressed stone features and red clay roof tiles, it is a Grade I listed church* and part of a Scheduled Ancient Monument — a building of immense historic and architectural importance.
The Details
Now, after almost 1,000 years of history, the roof urgently needs replacing. Surveys have revealed tile slippage and deterioration, and without action, further damage to the structure could occur. Preparatory works are already underway, but the full roof replacement, scheduled to begin in early 2026, will take around four months to complete.
The estimated cost of the project is £350,000–£400,000. To achieve this, we will be fundraising at scale:
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Around 25–30% has already been raised through community support and events such as the Hurley Charity Gala, Hurley Pantomime and Hurley Regatta. Last year's Gala raised close to £12,000 towards the roof thanks to the generosity of those who attended. We couldn't have asked for more from the event!
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The remaining 70–75% will be sought from external funding bodies and grant-giving organisations. Applications are in flight with a number of organisations to support the fundraising effort.
Our goal is simple: to protect the fabric of St Mary the Virgin Church for at least another 100 years, ensuring that it remains not just a place of worship but also a hub for our community groups, from choirs and drama societies to breakfast gatherings and village events.
Every donation, every ticket sold, and every auction bid at the Gala brings us closer to securing the future of this remarkable church — for our community today and for generations to come.
