The grants are offering much-needed funds to places of worship at risk across the South West including St Peter’s Church in Lamerton, Devon; St Wennappa’s Church, Cornwall; St Leonard’s Church in Stanton Fitzwarren near Swindon; and the Church of St Mary, Westbury-on-Severn, Wiltshire.

This money comes from the Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme, which is currently funded by HLF and administered by English Heritage. In June 2013, it will be superseded by HLF’s new £30million, UK-wide Grants for Places of Worship programme. This new initiative will continue to prioritise urgent structural repairs; however it will also enable applicants to apply for funding to support new works - such as the provision of toilets and kitchens - that will improve the functionality of these precious buildings making them fit for the future. 

Richard Bellamy, Head of HLF South West, said: “Historic places of worship form prominent and much loved landmarks in our villages, towns and cities across the South West. They are unique buildings that bring local communities together for a variety of reasons from worship through to culture and leisure. Since 1994, the Heritage Lottery Fund has invested more than £500million into these precious buildings across the UK and with these new grants we aim to ensure even more are secured for future generations to enjoy.” 

Veryan Heal, Acting English Heritage Planning and Conservation Director for the South West, said: “Listed places of worship make up an elemental part of the historic fabric of England. It is crucial they are cared for and repaired. Thanks to the joint working between the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage these wonderful buildings, which mean so much to so many, will remain part of our story for years to come.”

£66,000 has been awarded to the Church of St Leonard in Stanton Fitzwarren, near Swindon in Wiltshire. This Grade I listed church is of Norman origin, with 14th century and 17th century additions and 19th century restorations. This grant will be used for high level masonry repairs to the small tower which is in poor condition. It will also be used for the lead roof covering and rainwater chutes to the tower which are also in need of renewal. The project will also involve preserving historic lead graffiti which will be incorporated into the new roof.

£29,000 has been awarded to the St Peter’s Church in Lamerton, Devon. This Grade II* listed church dates from the early 15th century with an earlier tower. The church was restored in the 1870s, but a major fire soon destroyed almost everything except for the external walls and the tower. It was rebuilt in 1880. A grant aided project is already underway to repair the tower. This grant will be to deal with the next most urgent phase of works, dealing with the dampness in the body of the church. High level masonry repairs are required to the east end aisles and chancel gables, along with localised high level roof repairs and repairs to the underground drainage system. 

Notes to editors

The Repair Grants for Places of Worship in England Scheme was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and administered by English Heritage on behalf of both organisations. 

Until 2010, the scheme was jointly funded by HLF and EH. Since then, HLF had provided the majority of the funding to ensure that the scheme continued in its current form until June 2013.

Listed places of worship in England of all denominations and faiths were eligible for grants which support urgent repairs to the fabric of the building with a focus on projects costing less than £250,000. There was a two-stage application process with development funding available at Stage One to help work up proposals. This scheme is now closed to new applications. 

Grants for Places of Worship

HLF’s Grants for Places of Worship Programme is now open to applications. It is funded and administered solely by the Heritage Lottery Fund in England, Wales and Northern Ireland although English Heritage continues to provide expert advice in England.

In Scotland, the new programme is jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland. 

English Heritage is the Government’s statutory advisor on the historic environment. It provides advice on how best to conserve England’s heritage for the benefit of everyone.  While most of England’s heritage is in private hands, it works with all who come into contact with it - landowners, businesses, planners and developers, national, regional and local government, the Third Sector, local communities and the general public -  to help them understand, value, care for and enjoy England’s historic environment.

It is also entrusted with the custodianship of over 400 sites and monuments which together form the national collection of built and archaeological heritage. These include some of the most important monuments of human history such as Stonehenge and Hadrian’s Wall.

Further information

HLF Press Office: Natasha Ley or Alison Scott on 020 7591 6143 / 6035 or  07973 613 820 or natashal@hlf.org.uk.