The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is today announcing £1.1million of funding for the North West’s historic churches, securing the future of five places of worship that are in urgent need of repair.

The funding will allow vital repair works to these important buildings, help them provide better facilities and make the churches more suitable for wider community use.

Sara Hilton, Head of HLF North West, said: “Places of worship are among the UK’s most historic buildings, with fascinating stories behind them. This money will pay for urgent repairs, whilst also helping to tell the stories of these special places to visitors. As a result the buildings themselves will be more used by the whole community, and properly cared for into the future.”

HLF Grants for Places of Worship announced today include:

Holy Trinity Church, Parr Mount, St Helens, £239,400
This Grade II listed church is one of two buildings in St. Helens to be built entirely of industrial waste from the local chemical works. It has been awarded £239,400 for major repairs and improvements to its facilities.

St Helens Parish Church, St Helens, £200,400
The huge, Grade II* listed, red brick building was built by the architect WD Caroe between 1916-1926 and is a landmark in St Helens town centre. It has been awarded £200,400 towards a 15 month programme of urgent high level repairs and to upgrade the heating system.

St James Church, New Brighton, £250,000
This Grade II* listed church that has strong connections to the founders of New Brighton, has been awarded £250,000 to repair its spire which is a nautical landmark, and at 170 feet the tallest in Wirral.

St Cuthbert's Church, Halsall, £242,400
This Grade II* listed church that was built in the 14th century has been awarded £242,400 to conserve and repair the masonry.

Christ Church, Healey, £195,700
This Grade II* listed church by the architect G Shaw is in the Gothic style and was completed in 1850. It has been awarded £195,700 for a two-year programme of urgent repairs to the tower and spire and replacement of associated rainwater goods.

Notes to editors

Grants for Places of Worship scheme
Listed places of worship in the UK of all denominations and faiths are eligible for HLF grants which support urgent repairs to the fabric of the building with a focus on projects costing less than £250,000. There is a two stage application process with development funding available at the first-round to help work up proposals.

Under the programme, applications can now be submitted for new capital works but these costs should cost no more than around 15 per cent of the total overall budget.

Funding for Places of Worship in England
Until 2010, the Repair Grants for Places of Worship in England Scheme was jointly funded by the HLF and English Heritage (EH). Since then, HLF had provided the majority of the funding whilst English Heritage had continued to administer the fund on behalf of both organisations. This scheme is now closed for new applications.

HLF’s new Grants for Places of Worship programme is funded and administered solely by the HLF with the exception of Scotland; however English Heritage will continue to provide expert advice in England.

Funding for Places of Worship in Scotland
As with the Repair Grants for Places of Worship programme, the new Grants for Places of Worship programme in Scotland is jointly funded by the HLF and Historic Scotland.

Funding for Places of Worship in Wales and Northern Ireland
As with the Repair Grants for Places of Worship programme, the new Grants for Places of Worship programme in both Wales and Northern Ireland is funded solely by the HLF.

Further information

HLF press office, Natasha Hughes or Tom Williams, tel: 020 7591 6143 / 6056