The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is today announcing £385,000 of funding for Wales’ historic churches, securing the future of four 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.

Jennifer Stewart, Head of HLF Wales, 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:

All Saints' Church, Ammanford Dyfed
This grade II listed church has been awarded a £117,000 grant to restore its clock tower that was erected in memory of those who died during the First World War.

Mathry Church, Haverfordwest
This grade II listed church that is on the traditional pilgrimage route to St David's Cathedral has been awarded £87,000 to pay for urgent repairs to the nave.

Kings Christian Centre, Mold
This Grade II listed Wesleyan Chapel constructed in 1828 has been awarded £110,300 to repair the ceiling which is in danger of collapse.

St Michael's Parish Church, Abergele

This grade ll listed church that is of 12th century origin has been awareded £71,100 to stabilise its West Tower.

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 should cost no more than around 15 per cent of the total overall budget.

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