A campaign to preserve and promote St. Peter?s Church, St George, will kick off in earnest this week with a celebration of its long history.

The event on February 24 has been arranged by the newly-formed Friends of St. Peter?s to commemorate one of the famous sons at rest in the graveyard of the 400-year-old church.

Midshipman Richard Dale, 20, was the last American victim of the war of 1812. He died in St. George on February 22 1815 from complications associated with losing his leg during an engagement between his ship, the US frigate , and the Royal Navy.

Rev. David Raths from St. Peter?s said that Mr. Dale?s grave has been restored along with a plaque from his parents thanking the people of St. George for their kindness to their son during his final illness.

The anniversary of the death, he explained, used to be celebrated when the Americans had their base in Bermuda and the revival of the tradition has caused great interest from the American community.

The Friends of St. Peters, which has Prince Andrew as its patron, aims to raise much-needed cash to preserve the church which is a key attraction of the World Heritage site it stands in.

?There?s so much that needs to be done just to preserve it.It?s such an old building that the constant upkeep is a crushing burden and we have to get help from outside the congregation,? explained Rev. Raths.

?The donations we get from tourists aren?t enough to pay the guide every day.?

Although a formal fundraising target has not been set, an ultimate goal of around $1million is thought to be necessary.

The event on February 24, from 5.15 p.m., will see a ceremony take place in Kings Square, St George, outside the building where Mr. Dale died. Formerly Stennet?s Hotel, it now houses the Bank of Butterfield.

Following this, a fife and drum parade will progress through the town to the cemetery at St Peters. A dinner will then be held at the visitor centre at Penno?s Wharf.

Tickets for the dinner event, priced at $75, are available by calling the church office on 297-2459 or e-mailing friendsstpeters.bm.