£8m vital funding for England’s places of worship

Today, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced more than £8million of Lottery funding to support urgent repairs to 67 of England’s most important Grade II listed churches, chapels and synagogues. 

The money comes from the Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme*, which is now funded by HLF and administered by English Heritage.

From Newcastle to Teignbridge, the grants will help repair places of worship at risk across the country including the Church of St Augustine in South London and Bolton Methodist Mission.

The Bishop of London, Dr. Richard Chartres, said:  “This is extremely welcome news. Congregations across the UK are the custodians of some of our most important historic buildings and while they provide much joy and inspiration, maintaining them is a heavy financial burden. This vital investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund delivered with the benefit of English Heritage’s conservation expertise, means that local people can continue to safeguard these precious places.” 

Carole Souter, Chief Executive of the HLF, said; “Historic places of worship are an irreplaceable part of our heritage and sit at the very heart of local communities. Both the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage are delighted that in these difficult times, these vital repairs can still be done, ensuring these wonderful places are secured for future generations.”

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said; “Thanks to the generosity of the Heritage Lottery Fund, and ultimately Lottery players, the future of these architectural gems has now been safe-guarded. The combination of HLF investment and English Heritage expertise will continue to prevent these places falling into ruin.”

The grants are offering much needed funds to places of worship. £199,000 has been awarded to the Church of St Augustine in Honor Oak Park, South London. Set within a nature reserve, the Church is a local landmark and an example of Gothic Revival in the Early English style. It was built in 1872-3 by William Oakley and was later added to by Vincent John Grose in 1894 and 1900. This grant will now enable essential repairs to the stonework at the nave chancel and transept along with work to the degrading drainpipes and guttering.

£186,000 has also been awarded to the Bolton Methodist Mission.  Replacing an earlier chapel and incorporating other existing buildings purchased at the end of the 19th century, Victoria Hall of Bolton Methodist Mission was built in 1935.  Including a 90-foot terracotta tower, the building has the appearance not of a church but of a music hall of the period and today is regularly used by the local community for music events, lectures, meetings and graduation ceremonies. This grant will enable urgent repairs to the roof and renewal of rainwater guttering. 

Making a difference

Since 2002, HLF and English Heritage have worked together to award almost £200million to help repair more than 2,000 Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II listed places of worship, the largest single source of funds to help congregations care for their buildings.