‘AT RISK’ QUARTET FEATURE AMONG NCT GRANTEES

[THE FUTURE OF 21 churches and chapels and meeting houses is safe thanks to £351,500 of funding awarded by the National Churches Trust (NCT). Four of the churches being helped are on Historic England’s At Risk Register. Support of £66,500 has been provided by Wolfson Fabric Repair Grants, which support repair work at listed churches in the UK.

Churches being supported in the latest round of grants, announced on 19 April, include the Grade Two*-listed Church of St Mary in central Manchester (pictured) – known as the ‘Hidden Gem’. A £30,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant and a £6,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant will fund urgent roof and dome repairs.

In addition, a £25,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant goes to St Mark’s church in Dundela, Belfast, which has strong links with the celebrated writer C S Lewis, who was baptised there.

A £25,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant supports St Agatha’s church in Sparkbrook, Birmingham. The Grade Onelisted arts and crafts style church, one of the finest parish churches in the city, serves a very deprived area and the funding will pay for the installation of a servery and a disabled toilet, increasing the range of support it can offer local people.

A £15,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant and a £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant will fund urgent roof and tower repairs to Grade One-listed St Leonard’s Church in Old Warden, Bedfordshire. The ancient church, which dates from the 12th century, includes a set of 22 finely carved oak panels depicting the personal emblems of Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.

The trust’s vice president, broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, commented: “With many churches facing a struggle to survive, the latest grants are a tremendous boost to congregations, heritage lovers and to many communities in the UK who increasingly rely on the support provided by churches.

“The grants help fund urgent repairs and installing modern facilities including loos and kitchens. This safeguards important local heritage and keeps churches open and in use for the benefit of local people.”

Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, added: “As well as being places