Six months ago, we petitioned the developer of Christ Church Longcross, Gary Humphreys, to honour his promise to secure the future maintenance of the graveyard.

He has left the families in silence, refusing to answer their calls to honour his public promise in his written submission to the Church Commissioners. 

Family members with loved ones interred in the graveyard are dismayed, upset, shocked, angry, and hugly frustrated that the future of the maintenance of the graveyard remains in doubt - that it has been left overgrown and unattended. 

The Diocese of Guildford, who sold the church to Mr. Humphreys, did not secure the maintenance in a legal agreement - leaving family members at a loss and battling to secure the original promise. 

The graveyard has many family members visiting loved ones interred there, both recent and older burials. They have written in to share their feelings:

"I recently visited the graveyard at this church and was shocked"

"I am dismayed and upset that the maintenance of the graveyard is still causing issues"

"I cannot explain the disappointment and upset the neglect has caused to us all"

"I visited the churchyard yesterday the state is absolutely shocking"

"Trying to wriggle out of the original agreement. So very depressing"

These are some of the messages Friends of Christ Church Longcross have received from family members. 

The family members again call on Gary Humphreys to honour his written promise to the Church Commissioners and secure an agreement for the graveyard's future maintenance. 

If you have a family member interred in the graveyard and wish to join the group of over 22 members who have come together, please email fochristchurchlongcross@gmail.com

For reference, Gary Humphreys' written public submission to the Church Commissioners in 2019 when securing the scheme to develop the church into 5 flats:

"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 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."

Gary's son, Max Humphreys, who has been working alongside his father to convert the church building into 5 flats, wrote in his own separate submission to the Church Commissioners the following: 

"The church grounds will be provided with an indefinite maintenance contract alleviating pressure from the [] Church Virginia Water. The grounds will be completely tidied up and parking provided for residents AND church visitors."

Adrian Browning, Closed Churches Division of the Church Commissioners, wrote to FCCL in September 2020 that: 

"It is not unusual for purchasers of church buildings, such as Gary, to offer to maintain such retained land or to assist in financing it and these arrangements are usually made directly between the owner [Gary Humphreys] and the PCC [Virginia Water Parish]" and added "the Commissioners welcomed the proposal". 

He also wrote: 

"Our understanding was that Gary would undertake discussions with the parish on how this would operate at the time of occupation."

The Bishop of Guildford wrote in his own submission to the Church Commissioners that:

"With regard to the churchyard, it is proposed that this will be divided with a large part remaining in use, so that existing arrangements in relation to access for people visiting these burials in the churchyard will be unaffected." 

He clearly outlines the ongoing use of the majority of the churchyard. Since the submissions to the Church Commissioners in spring 2019, several recent burials of loved ones have taken place.