The Discover DeCrypt project has been awarded £1.36million to secure the future of Grade I listed St Mary de Crypt Church and the Grade II* listed Old Crypt Schoolroom and bring them back to life as a heritage and culture hub for local communities.

Conservation, stories and people

The project will:

[quote= Richard Graham, Gloucester MP] “It's another great moment for heritage led regeneration – I’m grateful to the HLF and rejoice for our project team and volunteers, and the many this will benefit." [/quote]

• Carry out essential conservation work and make the buildings open and available to all
• Reveal the history of the buildings and tell the stories of three of its most notable people: Joan Cook who established the Old Crypt School, the first free school for Gloucester; George Whitefield, a founder of Methodism who was educated at the school and preached his first sermon from the pulpit in the church; and Robert Raikes, who was also educated at the school, prison reformer and one of the founders of the international Sunday School movement
• Develop community activities from concerts to art classes as well as creating space for groups to use
• Create opportunities for new volunteers and for young people who want to learn about heritage and gain skills in building conservation

Nerys Watts, Head of HLF South West, said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we’re delighted to see that people will be put at the heart of this transformation, from volunteering and training opportunities to giving people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to explore their heritage.”

Good news for Gloucester

The news comes during a great year for Gloucester’s built heritage. Projects to restore and share the heritage of Gloucester Cathedral and Llanthony Priory have also received HLF support – with the Cathedral recently becoming the oldest building of its kind to install solar panels to generate its own energy.

Welcoming the award, Gloucester MP Richard Graham said: “It's another great moment for heritage led regeneration – I’m grateful to the HLF and rejoice for our project team and volunteers, and the many this will benefit."

The Rector of St Mary de Crypt, Canon Nikki Arthy, expressed her delight at the news of the award: “I want to pay tribute to the work of so many people over a number of years who have brought us to this point. This is good for Gloucester and exciting for us all.”