Dame Joanna Lumley to help launch landmark appeal for All Saints’ Church 

All Saints’ Church, Northampton is preparing to welcome Dame Joanna Lumley as she lends her support to a major campaign to secure the future of the historic town-centre church.

Dame Joanna will be the special guest at an evening event on Saturday 17 October, helping to launch the church’s ALL SAINTS 350 fundraising campaign as preparations begin for a significant milestone in the life of the church. The event will also honour Dame Joanna’s ancestors, who are commemorated among the church’s many memorials.

The campaign looks ahead to 2030, when All Saints’ will celebrate the 350th anniversary of its rebuilding and rededication following the Great Fire of Northampton in 1675. Building on the success of last year’s Great Fire commemorations, the church has set out plans to raise £600,000 to care for its historic fabric, improve accessibility and ensure the building continues to serve the people of Northampton for generations to come.

The ambitious ALL SAINTS 350 programme includes the restoration of the church clock, improvements to the tower and bells, more energy-efficient heating, and enhanced external lighting that will help illuminate one of Northampton’s most recognisable landmarks. Plans also include the refurbishment of the Narthex community rooms and improvements to the church’s café and hospitality spaces, creating a more welcoming environment for visitors, worshippers and community groups.

Crucially, the project will support the church’s ongoing ministry, educational work and music programme, ensuring that the building remains a place of worship, welcome and service at the heart of the town.

In a generous gesture of support, Dame Joanna is giving her time free of charge, meaning that all proceeds from the event will go directly towards preserving and enhancing the church.

The appeal has also received strong backing from across the county, with the Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, James Saunders Watson, agreeing to serve as president of the campaign. The appeal is chaired by Sir Peter Ellwood CBE DL.

Open daily for prayer, worship and visitors, All Saints’ has stood at the centre of Northampton life for centuries. Through the ALL SAINTS 350 campaign, church leaders hope the building will continue to be a place where people encounter faith, community and hospitality long into the future.