It is a church that towers above the Great Yarmouth skyline and offers a place of solace and worship in its splendid surrounds.

As people pass by Great Yarmouth Minster or visit the site, it can be easy for them to forget that the building relies on generous donations to keep going.

To highlight this fundraising fact the team rector at the Minster Rev Canon Simon Ward has organised a gift day at the Minster on Monday.

MORE; Rev’s delight at cricket ball findMr Ward will be at Minster between 10am and 4pm and as well as receiving donations, he will enjoy sharing a cuppa with visitors.

He said: “Our minster stands proudly looking over the Market Place. It is a building of staggering beauty and size which never fails to impress the visitor. For those who come in regularly it is a holy place of solace and comfort where one can pause and rest in the presence of God. But, we do need your support too.

Financially there is a challenge.

MORE; new man at the Minster“We need to ensure that the building stands open to all and that the work of the parish continues. This year we renewed all the Minster lights for £60,000 and repaired the south porch for £25,000.

“Our parish share to the Diocese of Norwich is £42,000 which pays for our clergy and support costs.

Great Yarmouth Minster receives no government funding and we depend upon generous giving.

“The gift day on Monday is an opportunity for people to make a financial gift towards the maintenance of the fabric of our fine church and for our wider ministry across the parish.

“Their gift will join with others to make a difference here in the life of our Minster Church.”

Mr Ward was instituted as team rector in August to fill the vacant role left by Rev Canon Chris Terry.

He said: “Since my recent arrival here as Rector I have been on a voyage of discovery at Great Yarmouth Minster. What I have seen is impressive.”

On December 9, 2011 the Lord Bishop of Norwich designated St Nicholas Church as a Minster Church, its official title being The Minster Church of St Nicholas.

St Nicholas Church was gutted by a German bombing raid in 1942 and after being rebuilt was reconsecrated in 1961.

If you can not make the gift day but want to make a donation call 01493 858410 for further details.