“The tower has been cordoned off due to loose masonry. The church suffers extensively from damp…Assessment: Priority A - Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric; no solution agreed.”

Historic England, Buildings at Risk Register

St Andrew’s Church building needs significant repairs.

Crumbling masonry and the risk of falling stones; blocked guttering and leaking roofs leading to water coming into the church…

Action must be taken, or the problems will get worse, and the cost of repair will get higher.

Fundraising now

We are fundraising for our next building restoration project which will undertake emergency masonry repairs to the church tower.

We are hopeful that grant funders will support this project, but before we can approach them we need to raise money from our local community -your gift could be the key to unlocking further grant funding.

Give to save a grade-1 listed church as risk

This church is built on the site of Soham Abbey founded by Felix of Burgundy (St Felix) in AD 631, and as such it is part of the history of the spread of Christianity across East Anglia in this period.

The current church building is Norman and was endowed by Hubert de Burgh in 1102. Much of the twelfth century church can still be seen including the arches of the crossing which exhibit the skill of Norman stonemasons in producing clean

The church was extended in the 14th and the 15th centuries, and the chancel hosts some important 14th- century wall paintings and some intricately carved misericords which depict faces in caricature. The hammer-beam roof of the nave is made of oak and eight beautiful carved angels look down on the congregation below.

Give to a beautiful building at the heart of Soham

St Andrew’s Church holds a prominent position in the centre of town and at the top of Soham High Street. It is impossible to think of Soham without the church’s magnificent crucifix form in flint and stone. The bell tower can be seen for miles across the flat fen landscape. The building speaks to the efforts and generosity of the people of Soham over hundreds of years, and continues to inspire pride today.

Inside the church, much of the decoration has a direct connection to notable Soham residents such as Olaudah Equiano – a freed slave who later campaigned for the abolition of slavery. The church’s decoration owes much to the success of local family businesses who bestowed windows and monuments as pious gifts, creating celebrated works of art for us all to enjoy.

If you walk along a footpath through the churchyard you cannot help but appreciate the calm and peaceful atmosphere of this beautiful green public space.

Give to secure a community hub for the next 900 years

The church is a constant in Soham people’s lives – many people who do not regularly come to church have a connection to the building because they were christened or married in this space, and have attended the weddings and funerals of friends and loved ones.

St Andrew’s Church serves over 12,000 people. Alongside activities run by the church, a wide range of community groups use the space throughout the week; from Soham Food Bank to local theatre companies, Age Concern to kids holiday activities. Soham is growing and the town’s need for public spaces is increasing.

Give to HIS glory!

Every week people come to St Andrew’s Church to be with God and ask for his guidance. The church is home to a diverse and inclusive faith community - people of all different ages, backgrounds and walks of life, from Soham and further afield, worship here. Special services throughout the year gather crowds in His name in this special building.

Give now

A restricted fund has been set up, this means any donations made to the restoration appeal are used solely for the building work.

The Parochial Church Council of the ecclesiastical parish of St Andrew Soham is a Registered Charity, number 1196349