Project Planning Grants
St Andrew's Church in Epworth, Lincolnshire, is Grade I listed and closely connected with the Wesley family and Methodism.
The concrete floor and plastic membrane were causing damp to be forced up into the walls of the church. This floor was removed, underfloor heating installed and a new locally sourced ‘breathable’ limestone floor put in its place. The clock face, windows, monuments and furnishings in the church were also conserved.
The bell ringers’ gallery was improved to become a more pleasant place for people to practice in, allowing the church to develop its team of ringers. The ground floor area, under the tower, became a heritage room. It included displays about the history and importance of the church, alongside an interactive recording with eight themes.
Practical facilities were updated, including a kitchen and toilets, which enabled local groups to use the heritage room for meetings and activities. The pews were replaced with flexible seating, and the font was moved. This means the church can be used for concerts and talks, which often attract audiences of more than 70 people.