The money comes from the Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme*, which is funded by HLF and administered by English Heritage.

Across Northumberland and Redcar & Cleveland these vital grants will help repair places of worship at risk including St Cuthbert’s Church in Elsdon, Northumberland and St Cuthbert’s Church, Kirkleatham, Redcar & Cleveland.   

Ivor Crowther, Head of HLF in the North East, said: “Historic places of worship are an irreplaceable part of our heritage that continues to play a vital role within local communities today. In the last ten years, the Heritage Lottery Fund has invested £155million into these wonderful buildings and I am delighted we are able to continue supporting congregations across the North East to safeguard them for future generations.”

Carol Pyrah, English Heritage Planning Director for the North East, said: “We are delighted that these important buildings will benefit from HLF funding and English Heritage’s expert advice. We know that maintaining places of worship and developing them sensitively is a major challenge and we are glad to work with the inspiring volunteers who make repairs and enhancements happen. Such fine buildings are a great resource, as places of spiritual discovery, landmarks, events venues, places of solace and architectural treasures. These grants celebrate both what they are and can be, whilst supporting the people who care for them on behalf of us all.”

St Cuthbert’s Church, Elsdon, Northumberland    
Grant:  £23,000
St Cuthbert’s Church is Grade I listed. It was built in the 12th century with restoration works carried out in 1837 and 1877 by F.R. Wilson. The majority of the decorated windows date from the 19th century but some of the buildings windows are from the 14th century. Vital works to safeguard this important place of worship will include repairs to windows and masonry, along with lead repairs to the aedicule monument.

St Cuthbert’s Church, Kirkleatham, Redcar & Cleveland
Grant:  £97,000
St Cuthbert’s Kirkleatham is Grade I listed with the first part of the Church built in 1731 and the vestry completed in 1855. The Mausoleum was built in 1739/40 by James Gibbs in an octagonal shape in memory of Marwood William Turner and there are a number of marble monuments within the mausoleum that require attention ranging in date from 1740 to 1810. The grant will enable the following works: repairs to the mausoleum spire stonework, urgent repairs to three mausoleum monuments and repairs to the mausoleum ceiling.

Notes to editors

*The Repair Grants for Places of Worship in England Scheme is 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 has provided the majority of the funding to ensure that the scheme continues in its current form until 2013.

Listed places of worship in England of all denominations and faiths are eligible for 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 stage one to help work up proposals.

To be eligible for the next round of funding, applicants need to apply by 30th June for Grade I and II* and 30th September for Grade II listed places of worship. www.english-heritage.org.uk

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

Natasha Ley or Lydia Davies, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6143/6035 or 07973 613 820 or natashal@hlf.org.uk