Family members with loved ones in the graveyard of Christ Church Longcross have today written to the builder who is converting the church into 5 flats to call on him to honor his promise to maintain the graveyard. 

Mr. Gary Humphreys had stated in his submission to the Church Commissioners, in seeking their approval to convert the church, that a ground rent would be  established for the maintenance of the graveyard. He wrote:

"All of the flats will be required to pay for the future upkeep of the building and land surrounding the church. This will mean there is no longer a requirement for the church to provide funding to maintain either of these anymore. 

All 5 flats will pay a ground rent of £1000 per year for the maintenance of the whole graveyard. The contract will be made available to local businesses to support the community and we already have 2 gardening contractors agreeing to taken on the church grounds. 

The added benefit of this will be particularly helpful for the [Holy Trinity]* Church, Virginia Water. They are currently funding the maintenance of the land and will be pleased to know the church land will be self sufficient with no further maintenance or repairs will need to be funded by their parish."

However, since purchasing the church in July 2020, no agreement has been made with the parish of Christ Church Virginia Water and the matter remains outstanding with the future maintenance of the graveyard in doubt. 

As can be seen from the photo above, no maintenance has recently been undertaken and the graveyard is becoming seriously overgrown. One can just make out the headstones in the photo.

The family members have called on Mr. Humphreys to make good his promise and enter into an agreement to establish the ongoing maintenance of the graveyard. 

Friends of Christ Church Longcross have established a group of family members with loved ones interred in the graveyard. If you have a family member buried there and would like to join this group, please email fochristchurchlongcross@gmail.com.

*the parish name was incorrectly referenced, the PCC is Christ Church Virginia Water.