The Trust
St Peter's and St Paul's Marlborough Trust Limited
The Trust was formed in 1978 following the church being declared redundant in 1974. It runs the church on a 99-year lease from the Diocese of Salisbury. It is a wonderful example of a community project in action, and has in nearly 40 years provided local residents and visitors alike with a beautifully preserved historic building for the use and appreciation of anyone and everyone.
Early restoration work by Trust members
One of the many concerts held throughout the year
Flower display on the Victorian bier from Minal church as part of the biennial flower festival
The charitable Trust has about 180 members, some 16 of which are elected at the AGM as Trustees to serve on the Trust’s Council (which meets quarterly). About 8 members of Council form the Trust’s Management Committee, a body which meets more frequently to manage the day-to-day business of the church. All of the Trustees give their services free.
Very roughly about £25,000 per year, but this is to cover routine expenses and we also need to build up reserves in order to be able to undertake maintenance and major repairs to the building.
No! Marlborough had two Parish Churches until 1974 when it became too costly to maintain two old and expensive churches so close to each other. In that year St Peter’s ceased to be a Parish Church.
The Chancel and the War Memorial Chapel to the south are reserved for services and for private prayer, and are preserved very much as they would have been when it was still a church. A Festal Evensong is held every year on the Sunday nearest to St Peter's day (June 29th), to which all are welcome.
Did You Know?
In 1635 Roger Davis was paid £4-5s for making a new clock.
How does the Trust raise its funding?
In a variety of ways:
From the annual subscriptions of members
From the rents paid by the proprietors of both the Arts and Craft and Coffee Shops
By the fees paid by those who hire the church for lectures, concerts and art exhibitions, and by those who take tours of the tower
By donations from appreciative visitors, and bequests from grateful friends
Become a member:
Biannual newsletter:
Jake Seamer, founding Chairman and subsequently Life President
Picture presentation: Nick Maurice (Chairman of the Marlborough Brandt Group) presents current Trust Chairman, David Du Croz, with a pen portrait of Anna Zassimova, one of the soloists in the church's programme of recitals for Brilliant Young Pianists
Mayor Margaret Rose with pianists Berendina Cook and Matthew Stanley who performed at the Mayor's Annual Charity concert.
