Lift High The Cross – St Mark’s Church and the Across 2000 Appeal

Across 2000 was a Millennium year project introduced by St Mark’s Church in Wimbledon. When built in 1969, one striking feature of the church had been a large steel cross on the roof, but it blew down in a gale in March 1987 and proved impossible to replace at the time without causing interior cosmetic damage. In 1999, the new Vicar of St Mark’s, Chris Eyden, consulted local architects who suggested the cross could now be replaced - thanks to new structural engineering practices. The Across 2000 appeal was launched.

Objectives

To raise the £20,000 needed to erect a new cross, identical in shape and size to the old one and to floodlight the cross, roof area and area around the church; to establish the church as a beacon for the third Millennium; to gain as much local support and publicity for the project as possible; to organise attractive and unusual fundraising events; to unveil the new cross at a Millennium Street Party on St Mark’s Day, 2000.

Strategy

Across 2000 was established and promoted within the church community as an innovative, community-led, Millennium appeal that would go far beyond conventional church fundraising strategies of jumble sales and coffee mornings. Support was sought from and given by the local MP, the Mayor, the police, local guilds, schools and residents’ associations and the neighbouring Wimbledon library. Pledges and donations were sought from individuals and businesses and a programme of dynamic, creative fundraising events was planned over the course of 1999-2000.  

Measurement and Evaluation

The involvement of local dignitaries and celebrities boosted the fundraising campaign and enhanced press coverage of the numerous events associated with Across 2000. Notably, the story was catapulted onto the front pages of the Local Wimbledon Independent newspaper when Annette Crosbie had to pull out of launching a marathon Bible read after being struck down by food poisoning. When the Bishop of Kingston stepped in to take her place, ‘actress and Bishop’ headlines swiftly followed! Annette Crosbie recovered in time to finish the read with verses from the book of Revelations. Extensive media coverage of this and other fundraising events, together with the story of the erection and unveiling of the cross itself included ITV’s London Tonight, Premier Radio, the Wimbledon Guardian and The Bridge, the newspaper of the Diocese of Southwark.

Results

The fundraising campaign was a huge success and the £20,000 target was exceeded within the year. The cross was up as planned in time for St Mark’s Day and Wimbledon was treated to a sight it will never forget – the Bishop of Kingston dressed in gown and mitre, sprinkling holy water onto the cross from a cherry-picker. The success of the Across 2000 campaign also helped secure a further £90,000 in the form of a grant from the Bridge House Estates to completely transform the area around the church, including re-developing the church hall and garden for use by local community groups. St Mark’s Church is now established firmly as a community resource at the heart of the town centre and clergy and parishioners have created strong, positive relationships with local businesses and residents.  



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