Leave a Legacy

Our Legacy

In 1885 our Founder, Revd Henry Cullen Eden, began the task of raising funds to build a new church here, the first part of which opened for services on 25 September 1890, was consecrated on 7 March 1891, and then the new parish of Holy Innocents founded on 6 February 1892. Father Eden dedicated 48 years of service to Holy Innocents, retiring in 1933 and dying only a year later.

We know from the first minutes of the PCC in our archives written in November 1920 that, even then, there were discussions about our financial position, and how to manage the demands of the repairs and general running costs of the church. The same issues as today were causing concern – the heating system, the lighting, the leaking roof, and general day to day maintenance.

Father Eden’s legacy to us is not just the magnificent church we are privileged still to worship in a century and a half later. We also have the example of his personal dedication to raising funds for it to be built initially and then, during his 48 years of service, to ensuring our church was maintained and nurtured for generations to come. Now it is our turn.

Your Legacy

Your legacy can ensure Father Eden’s legacy lives on for another century and a half or more. By leaving a gift in your Will, you can help preserve Holy Innocents for future generations.

When a gift in your Will is left to a registered charity such as Holy Innocents then it is exempt from inheritance tax and, depending on your personal circumstances, can reduce your overall tax rate.

Legacies may be left either for general purposes or for a specific use.

Since our needs change over time, a legacy for general purposes gives us the flexibility to use your gift wherever it is most useful, which could be the building itself, one of our ministries, music or art.

While if there is some area you particularly want to support then you can request that it is used in this way. If so, we would very much appreciate it if you would speak to us before making your decision and finalising your Will.

How to Leave Your Legacy

To leave a legacy to Holy Innocents you can use the following wording in your Will, depending on whether you want to make a gift of a specific sum OR as a share of your residuary estate:

“I give the sum of £……. (pounds only) OR

I give …………% of my residuary estate free of all taxes

to the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of The Holy Innocents & St John in the Diocese of London, for [its general purposes or name chosen purpose] and I declare that the receipt of an officer of the Parochial Church Council shall be sufficient discharge to my Executors and Trustees”

Whether it is for general or specific use, and no matter the size, your legacy will make a real difference to us, and anything you can gift to Holy Innocents will be a blessing and received with sincere thanks and much gratitude.

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.