UK Historic churches boosted by £546,000 grants from National Churches trustReported by PRWeb on Friday, 29 June 2012 (on June 29, 2012)
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30 places of worship in England Wales and Scotland are set to benefit from grants totalling £546,000 from the National Churches Trust.announced on 28 June 2012 The grants from the National Churches Trust – the only independent charity dedicated to supporting church buildings of all Christian denominations across the UK – will support projects including repairing ancient stonework and architectural features and the replacement of stolen lead roofing. They will also help pay for providing new facilities such as meeting rooms, kitchens and accessible toilets to enable greater community use. The grants include £154,000 for listed places of worship outside the care of the Church of England from a one-off Capital Grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is being administered on their behalf by the National Churches Trust.
(PRWEB UK) 29 June 2012
30 places of worship in England Wales and Scotland are set to benefit from grants totalling £546,000 from the National Churches Trust announced on 28 June 2012
The grants from the National Churches Trust – the only independent charity dedicated to supporting church buildings of all Christian denominations across the UK – will support projects including repairing ancient stonework and architectural features and the replacement of stolen lead roofing. They will also help pay for providing new facilities such as meeting rooms, kitchens and accessible toilets to enable greater community use.
The grants include £154,000 for listed places of worship outside the care of the Church of England from a one-off Capital Grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is being administered on their behalf by the National Churches Trust.
Churches, chapels and meeting houses awarded grants include:
· The Bronte church of St Michael and All Angels in Haworth, Yorkshire.
· St Michael and the Holy Angels Catholic church, West Bromwich. One of the church’s first priests was George Spencer, the great great great uncle of Diana, Princess of Wales. He is now being considered for beatification.
· The church of St John of Jerusalem in Hackney, London , serving one of the most deprived communities in England.
· St Barrwg in Bedwas, Monmouthshire, dating back to 1002 and one of the oldest churches in Wales.
· The parish church formed from Crowland Abbey, an 8th century Benedictine monastery in Lincolnshire. The first bells to be hung in Britain were in the belfry here and the current bell pull is one of the longest in the UK.
· St Catherine, Hoarwithy, Herefordshire, an internationally renowned Grade I listed church built in an Italian Tuscan style . The church includes sculptured choir stalls, a white marble altar inlaid with lapis lazuli and Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris stained glass.
A selection of photos can be viewed here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60731875@N05/sets/72157630080139420/ 
An interactive map showing places of worship awarded grants can be viewed here:
http://batchgeo.com/map/c69da10f89ca9d07f7ef52792a374bcd
£8 million of grant support since 2007
The latest grant allocations come as the National Churches Trust celebrates its fifth anniversary. Since June 2007, the Trust has provided grants of over £8 million to almost 900 places of worship in the UK.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, Joint President of the National Churches Trust said: “We can be grateful to the National Churches Trust, which, since its formation in 2007, has helped to fund the repair and maintenance of almost 900 places of worship. Facilities have been modernised, disused spaces utilised, buildings converted and interiors reordered enabling these churches to play an even more active and valued role and in sustaining local communities. As it looks to the years ahead, the National Churches Trust will continue to provide much needed financial and practical help thus ensuring the future of church buildings as a vital focus for neighbourhoods in city and country areas. The Trust deserves our unstinting support.”
John Penrose MP, Minister for Heritage and Tourism at the Department for Heritage, Media and Sport said: “I warmly congratulate the National Churches Trust on the fifth anniversary of its launch as the successor to the Historic Churches Preservation Trust. The financial and practical support provided by the Trust helps many of Britain’s churches, chapels and meeting houses continue to flourish at the heart of their communities, by preserving their architecture and keeping their facilities up to date. I wish the Trust all the very best for the future.”
Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust said:
“Our latest grants will help ensure the future of 30 places of worship in England, Wales and Scotland.
“Many of the church buildings we are supporting are major architectural landmarks. They are much loved both by local people, and by visitors who enjoy the beauty and history of these sacred spaces. Our grants, together with funding from partner organisations, will help pay for urgent repairs to roofs, stonework and precious architectural features.”
“As well as being used for worship, churches are also vital to the well-being of the wider community. With local facilities such as libraries and social clubs closing, places of worship are often the only community spaces available for use by charities. Our grants therefore also fund new community spaces and up-to-date heating, kitchens and toilets. Improved facilities help places of worship support the local community and strengthen our society.”
“The last few years have seen an epidemic of the theft of lead and a number of our grants will help fund the replacement of lead roofs. The National Churches Trust welcomes moves to increase the penalties imposed on the criminals who carry out these crimes, which can only increase the financial burden on hard-pressed church buildings.”
“In these tough economic times, places of worship are finding it harder than ever to pay for essential repairs. This is reflected in a major increase in the number of grant applications we are receiving. In the first five months of 2012, the Trust received 425 requests for grants, a rise of 40 per cent when compared to the same period in 2011.”
“As a result, with our resources we are only able to support a small proportion of the many worthy projects that apply to us for funding. We rely on the generous support of trusts, foundations and individuals to continue our work supporting places of worship. So if you share our belief in the value of these buildings please consider supporting the National Churches Trust and becoming a Friend by visiting our website http://www.nationalchurchestrust.org.”
FULL LIST OF PLACES OF WORSHIP RECEIVING GRANTS
COMMUNITY GRANTS FROM THE DCMS CAPITAL GRANT SCHEME
St Mary, Malpas, Monmouthshire, Wales - £50,000
Situated in a deprived suburb of Newport, the Grade II church was built on the site of a 12th century Clunaic monastic cell, with the current neo-Norman Gothic building rebuilt in 1850.
There is a need for greater community cohesion in the area to which St Mary’s has and can improve on providing.
Awarded a £50,000 grant to help construct a meeting room, provide disabled access and a small kitchen. Use of the enhanced facilities will include surgery sessions for a Parish Nurse scheme and activities for teenagers.
St Michael and the Holy Angels Catholic church, West Bromwich, West Midlands - £40,000
Grade II listed, this is the oldest church in the centre of West Bromwich. The original was built in 1832 and the present church was completed in 1907. George Spencer, one of its first priest priests, who is being considered for beatification, was the great great great uncle of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The town centre is undergoing major regeneration. Outdated and inadequate facilities mean that the church is underused for community activities. Awarded a grant of £40,000 to help fund essential repairs and to upgrade toilet and catering facilities. This will allow greater use of community facilities by ethnic groups and older people including English language classes for new migrants, IT classes and dementia care.
St Philip Neri Catholic church, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire - £25,000
This Grade II church was consecrated on 24 May. The church is of Italian Renaissance style and seats over 400. Paintings include the crucifixion, nativity and resurrection, mounted in the dome, based on Lorenzo de Credi and Perugino, painted in oils on fixed canvases.
Mansfield was hard hit by the decline of the mining and knitwear industries. There is considerable demand for literacy and numeracy classes for adults, parenting classes, computer awareness, cookery classes, social skills classes.
Awarded a £25,000 grant to upgrade the parish hall including creating a link between the church and hall by building front extension to parish hall and extension to side of refurbished hall to accommodate new kitchen. The old hall was in a dilapidated state and totally inadequate for its users.
Dalziel St Andrew’s Parish church, Motherwell, Scotland - £20,000
This Grade B listed building was opened in 1874. The church is the dominant building in Motherwell town centre and includes a ‘Walcker’ opus 876 pneumatic Pipe Organ installed in 1900. St Andrew’s has a suite of halls well used by a range of parish and community groups.
Awarded a £20,000 grant to help with the renewal of heating, electrical upgrades and a new Quiet Prayer Room.
St Leonard, Bridgnorth, Shropshire - £5,000
Grade II* listed building, the church originated in the 12th century and is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust, having been made redundant in 1976. The size of the church is breathtaking and the woodwork, stained glass and stonework are of exceptionally high quality.
Awarded a £5,000 grant to help install toilets, office space and environmentally friendly heating which will enable more events and activities to take place and offer a better welcome for visitors.
Union Chapel, Islington, London - £14,000
The Grade II* listed Union Chapel was designed by James Cubitt and built in 1872. Its tower dominates the Islington landscape. The Chapel made Cubitt’s reputation as an architect and is probably his best work.
The Union Chapel is a top London music venue and runs projects to help the homeless and rough sleepers.
Awarded a £14,000 grant to help upgrade kitchen facilities. These will be used to provide courses for people to gain new skills and find jobs.
OTHER GRANTS BY COUNTRY AND REGION
England: Eastern
St Peter, Swainsthorpe, Norfolk - £10,000
A Grade II* listed building, this round tower church has been the focal point of the village since 900. Saxons, Normans, Stuarts and Victorians have all carried out alterations to the church to modernise the building for their time.
The church is the only community building in the village and projects to improve facilities aim to bring faith and the community together.
Awarded a grant of £10,000 to help repair damage to the tower caused by water ingress and also to the chancel roof.
England: East Midlands
Crowland Abbey, Crowland, Lincolnshire - £12,000
Subject of a John Clare sonnet, this Grade 1 listed Benedictine monastery was founded in the 8th Century. Crowland was partly demolished in 1539 at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The north aisle is now the parish church and the ruined nave is a scheduled ancient monument. The first bells to be hung in Britain were in the belfry here and the current bell pull is one of the longest in the UK.
There are many significant architectural elements dating from the 12th to 14th centuries which will be at risk if not conserved.
Awarded a grant of £12,000 to help repair and conserve important sculptural elements including carved reliefs of St Guthlac.
St Mary, East Barkwith, Lincolnshire - £25,000
Now on the ‘Heritage at Risk’ register, the Grade II* listed church dates back to the early 12th Century with the most recent renovations having been made in 1868-9 when the chancel was rebuilt. The building is currently closed for health and safety reasons.
The local community is determined to save the building and return the church to the heart of the community and protect and enhance it for the long term. A third of the local population are on pensions and there is a real problem with elderly people being isolated in an already isolated community.
Awarded a grant of £25,000 to help rebuild the tower parapets and pinnacles, strip and reslate the roof and carry out other urgent repairs.
St Swithun, East Retford, Nottinghamshire - £10,000
Grade II* listed, St Swithun’s is a large town centre church. The date of the first written record was in 1258 but much restoration and repair to the mainly 15th century building was carried out in the second half of the 19th century. The church was the corporation church of the old Borough of East Retford and still retains seats for the Mayor and Councillors.
Longer term plans include a major re-ordering of the church to allow for wider use and to house a number of socially desirable projects to be housed in the church in addition to being a place of worship.
Awarded a £10,000 grant to help with the repair of tower and transept roofs.
St Swithun, Leadenham, Lincolnshire - £10,000
A Grade 1 listed 13th Century church with a magnificent spire. Dedicated to St Swithun, a statue of the saint in his Episcopal robes can be seen over the north porch entrance. In 1841 Augustus Welby Pugin hand-painted the chancel ceiling in a wonderful 14th century style and this is thought to be the only example of his work in a parish church.
Awarded a grant of £10,000 to help replace lead roof, repair gutters and fit a new alarm system to cover all roof areas.
St Peter, Raithby, Lincolnshire - £20,000
Rebuilt in 1839, the Grade II listed church includes a rare octagonal font and a very rare barrel organ.
The church is always open and is used by ramblers and visitors to the area.
Awarded a grant of £20,000 to help re-roof the nave where, since 2008, parts of the ceiling have collapsed.
St Mary, Weston, Lincolnshire - £10,000
A Grade I listed early church much modified in 12th and 13th centuries. It is now primarily Early English with fine interiors.
The village of Weston has a high proportion of unemployed and elderly households and also new Eastern European families with children. There is growing interest in the church and a small congregation has built up for a new regularevening service.
Awarded a £10,000 grant, to help with the re-leading of roof areas, replace damaged rainwater goods and install a permanent alarm system to protect lead roofs.
England: Greater London
St Paul, Clapham - £20,000
A Grade II* listed building, St Paul’s was originally a rectangular Georgian chapel of ease built in 1815. The church was re-ordered in the 1960s and includes a community centre.
Development plans are to make the church more community and child friendly.
Awarded a grant of £20,000 to help with re-roofing of east end where the community hall is situated and which needs urgent repairs to slates and rainwater goods.
St John of Jerusalem, Hackney - £40,000
A Grade II* listed gothic-style church dating from 1848. The church serves the poorest borough in London and the second poorest in England. It runs a Winter Night Shelter for the homeless, hosts play groups and many other community activities.
Awarded a £40,000 ‘Cornerstone’ grant to help re-slate the roof and carry out repairs to decaying stonework, which will allow for the creation of an enhanced community room with kitchen and toilet facilities.
All Saints, Kingston-upon-Thames - £10,000
A Grade I listed building right at the heart of Kingston town centre. All Saints is a cruciform medieval church, partly Norman but with 14th and 15th century arcades. 50 people come to the church per day to pray, sit or explore the history. A wide variety of groups use the church including Kingston Mind, Kingston Peace Council and Kingston University.
Awarded a grant of £10,000 to replace unserviceable and inadequate electrical wiring.
England: North West
St Thomas and St John, Radcliffe, Manchester - £10,000
A Grade II listed church, consecrated in 1864. The style is gothic in the perpendicular style.
The church is used as the Town Church for Remembrance Day and is home to Girl Guides and Rainbows and a toddler group open to all.
Awarded a grant of £10,000 to help with masonry repairs and to repoint walls.
St Paul, Seacombe, Liverpool and Merseyside - £10,000
Grade II listed building built in 1847 in the English gothic style. There is a three stage tower with spire which was truncated in the 1960s due to deterioration.
In an area of high deprivation, the church is predominantly used as a place of worship, but also for a number of charity shops over the year and is a resource for the community and local schools.
Awarded a £10,000 grant to dismantle the truncated original spire and to rebuild it to include the missing section.
England: South East
St Mary Magdalene, Stockbury, Kent - £40,000
A Grade I listed Early English church on the North Downs. The present building features work from the 12th, 13, 15th and 17th centuries. The yew tree in front of the church is said to be more than 1,000 years old.
The local community is small and rural and the inhabitants regard St Mary Magdalene as their church that needs to be there for weddings, funerals and baptisms. The church is also much valued by the traveller community who live in a settled community nearby.
Awarded a ‘Cornerstone’ grant of £40,000 to help repair the tower which has suffered from movement and cracking and detachment of masonry.
England: South West
St Peter, Lamerton, Devon - £10,000
A Grade II* listed church dating from the 12th century, the body of the church is early 15th century. The church was re-built in 1880 following a fire.
With well attended family services, the church is also a venue for concerts.
Awarded a grant of £10,000 to help pay for remedial work to deal with damp problems and falling masonry.
Blessed Virgin Mary, Brompton Ralph, Somerset - £10,000
Grade II* listed, parts of the church date from the 14th Century but it was largely re-built in the 18th Century with a further restoration completed in 1881.
Regular events draw increasing numbers into the church, which is on the West Deane Way and also receives a number of walkers and tourists.
Awarded a grant of £10,000 to help with urgent repairs to the church roofs.
St Peter and St Paul, Wincanton, Somerset - £40,000
There has been a church on the site since 1313 but the Grade II* listed building was largely re-built between 1887-91.
The church is used for worship and also for all civic services and the Remembrance Day services. It is also a popular choice for concerts. St Peter and St Paul has hosted a homecoming parade for troops returning from Afghanistan.
Awarded a ‘Cornerstone’ grant of £40,000 to help with project including recovering the lead roof, repair stonework and treating for beetle attack.
England: West Midlands
St Michael, Handsworth, Birmingham - £20,000
Built in 1851-5, this Grade II listed building is a major local landmark. It was built to seat one thousand people, mainly workers from the local Boulton factory.
The parish serves an area of multiple deprivation and provides children’s activities, pensioners groups and ESOL classes.
Awarded a grant of £20,000 to help make the building watertight and weatherproof.
St Catherine, Hoarwithy, Herefordshire - £15,000
This internationally renowned Grade I listed church is a chapelry attached to Hentland Parish Church. Built in an Italian Tuscan style by eminent Victorian architect JP Seddon, the church includes sculptured choir stalls, a white marble altar inlaid with lapis lazuli and Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris stained glass. Part of the beauty of the church is its warm coloured yellow sandstone, but this has weathered badly.
Awarded a grant of £15,000, which will help to restore sandstone exterior, parts of which have fallen from the tower.
England: Yorkshire
St Michael and All Angels, Haworth - £20,000
‘The Bronte Church’, Grade II listed, which houses the Bronte chapel and memorials to the Brontes. The parish dates back as far as a reference in the Domesday Book. The present church was built in 1879-81, replacing the 1655 church of which Patrick Bronte was the vicar from 1820-61.
Awarded a £20,000 grant to help make the building watertight and rectify internal damage caused by water penetration. Buckets currently collect water in numerous places.
St James
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