The Vicar of St Matthews, the Rev Phil Warren, in the church which is being restored (01030791). Picture: Matthew Hotton

A TOTAL of £300,000 has now been raised in the £1 million appeal launched in 2008 to restore St Matthew’s Church in St Lawrence.

Formerly a chapel of rest for people living in the area, the church was reopened in 1934 following a transformation commissioned by Florence Lady Trent in memory of her husband, Jesse Boot, the first Lord Trent and founder of Boots the Chemist.

The transformation of the building, known as the Glass Church, was carried out by Jersey architect A B Grayson, and world-renowned glass sculptor René Lalique, who created beautiful glass screens and other striking features.

The Vicar of St Matthews, the Rev Phil Warren, said that the building had been need of major refurbishment, and that now that work on the roof was complete, they would now start in the bell tower and Lady Chapel.

Donations to the appeal, made payable to St Matthew’s The Friends of the Glass Church, may be sent to the Church Office, St Matthew’s Church, Route de St Aubin, St Lawrence, JE3 1LN.