Building Fund Appeal

A Home for St George's

For the first time, our parish has a real opportunity to buy a church of our own in Leeds. The building has been found and the plan is ready. Now our families are pledging together to make it happen.

  50 families  ·  one home  ·  before the purchase in 2027
Make your family's pledge Why it matters

Our Story

Rooted in faith, ready for a home

Our parish began with a handful of families from Kerala who carried the ancient Syriac Orthodox faith with them to Leeds.

Today we are a growing parish family, with a thriving Sunday School, JSOYA youth, Vanitha Samajam and prayer fellowships. But we have never had a building of our own, so we can only worship at set times on set days.

After visiting and assessing several churches for sale across Leeds, the Church Committee has found one that is right for us. This is the moment our parish has prayed for.

St George youth and families celebrating the parish Crystal Jubilee

Worship every Sunday

Holy Qurbono every week, not just the 2nd and 4th Sundays, with Passion Week and the feasts kept in our own sanctuary.

A future for our children

Space for Sunday School, VBS and youth, so we can pass on our faith and Malayalam heritage to the next generation.

Every sacrament at home

Baptisms, weddings and funerals celebrated in our own church, in our own tradition.

Serving Leeds

A community hub open to the wider city for fellowship, outreach and supporting families new to the UK.

The Opportunity

A Church That's Right for Us

A well-kept property in Leeds that is ready to use, and already earns its keep.

Right-sized

A church our congregation can fill, look after and afford to run.

Move-in ready

Well maintained, with very little renovation needed.

Modern main hall

A recently built hall with good facilities for fellowship and feasts.

Smaller hall

A refurbished space for Sunday School, youth and prayer groups.

Earns from day one

Existing community use of the premises brings in regular income to help with running costs.

Easy to reach

Convenient on-street parking for families.

Full details of the building and the funding plan have been shared with members at the General Body meeting.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.”
Psalm 127:1

Your Family's Pledge

Choose the Plan That Suits Your Family

Every family contributes on the same basis, as agreed at the General Body. Choose how to pay your pledge: all at once or spread over the year. Timings can be adjusted to suit each family, as long as it's complete before the purchase.

If you're a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid adds 25% to your pledge at no extra cost to you.

Tapping a plan opens WhatsApp so you can confirm your pledge with the Treasurer, who will send you the payment details.

Gift Aid

Make your gift worth 25% more, at no cost to you

St George's is a registered charity recognised by HMRC. If you are a UK taxpayer, we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. Across all our families, that makes a real difference to the building fund.

To claim it, we need a Gift Aid declaration with your name and home address. Members can complete this through the membership form.

Higher-rate taxpayers can also claim back the difference through self-assessment.

More Ways to Help

Every Contribution Counts

Offer an interest-free loan

Part of our plan includes interest-free loans from members. If you are able to lend to the church for a period, please speak to the Treasurer.

Talk to us

Give any amount online

Friends, family and well-wishers can give a one-off gift of any size by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Donate now

Bank transfer

Please use the reference BUILDING plus your surname so we can thank you and claim Gift Aid.

Pray and share

Keep this project in your prayers, and send this page to family and friends in Kerala and across the UK.

Share the appeal

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will own the church?

The church will be owned by the charity itself. St George Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Leeds is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), Registered Charity No. 1203186, and a CIO is its own legal entity. The building is held in the charity's name, not any individual's, and the title stays with the charity as trustees come and go.

Am I personally liable for any borrowing?

No. Church members are members of the CIO and govern it by voting at general meetings, but liability is limited. No member is personally liable for any borrowing or for the charity's debts.

Are contributions refundable?

No. The building is held for charitable purposes and can never be owned or cashed out by any individual. Members don't hold a personal financial stake in it, so contributions are non-refundable, including if someone later leaves the membership.

Who manages the money?

The Management Trustees (the Vicar, Secretary, Treasurer and Joint Treasurer) run the charity day to day. They are accountable to the members and the Charity Commission, and our accounts are reviewed by our parish auditors.

When do I need to complete my pledge?

All pledges should be complete before the purchase, which is expected in 2027. You can pay in one go, or spread it half-yearly, quarterly or monthly. Timings can be adjusted to suit your family, so please talk to the Treasurer.

Can I give if I'm not a member, or live outside the UK?

Yes. Anyone can give online. Gift Aid can only be claimed on gifts from UK taxpayers.

Where can I see the full plan and figures?

The full funding plan was presented to members at the General Body meeting. If you missed it, please speak to the Secretary or Treasurer.

Has the church taken professional advice?

Yes. The charity will take regulated financial and legal advice before going ahead with any purchase.

Spread the Word

Help Us Reach Every Family

Share this page with family, friends and well-wishers. Every share brings us closer to a home of our own.

Share on WhatsApp Share on Facebook

Let's build our home, together

Every family that pledges, whether all at once or a little each month, becomes part of the story of St George's for generations to come.

Make your family's pledge Other ways to help
A home for St George'sBuilding Fund Appeal
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