Funding of £500,000 to restore the West Midlands’ historic churches
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is today announcing £500,000 of funding for the West Midlands’ 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.
Reyahn King, Head of HLF, West Midlands, 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:
St Thomas More RC Church, Sheldon, Grant: £235,900
This Grade II* listed church is noted as an excellent example of 1960s architecture and its unusual fan shaped building is well known in the local community. It was designed by Richard Gilbert Scott, the son of Liverpool Cathedral and Battersea Power Station designer Giles Gilbert Scott. It has been awarded £235,900 to address urgent repair works.
Pershore Abbey, Pershore, Grant: £87,500
This Grade I listed former Benedictine Abbey dating from 972 has been awarded £87,500 for urgent repairs to the roof and stonework.
St Bartholomew, Asperton, Grant: £82,300
This Grade II* listed church was built as a ‘Chapel of Ease’ in the 13th century so that those unable to reach the Parish Church had somewhere to worship. It has been awarded £82,300 for capital works and improved facilities.
St George’s Church, Rodington, Grant: £99,900
This Grade II* listed church that dates from 1851 but with ancient stonework, believed to be of Saxon origin has been awarded £99,000 for capital works, building new facilities and activities highlighting the historical importance of the church to the local community.
Further information
HLF press office, Natasha Hughes or Tom Williams, tel: 020 7591 6143/6056.