Image: Members of the Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust outside Lochwinnoch Parish Church which is being saved for the community
£1.25m investment puts volunteers and communities at the heart of futures of historic churches
Eight projects restoring and repurposing historic places of worship are to share £1.25m in National Lottery Funding.
It is part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s three-year initiative for places of worship, to be delivered as part of the Heritage Fund’s ten-year strategy, Heritage 2033.
It said it is challenging the heritage sector and institutional carers of places of worship to devise and deliver “strategic projects at a national and regional level to address sector-wide issues and funding gaps”.
These strategic projects will be backed by an additional funding pot of at least £15million and is open for applications.
Among the latest recipients is a development grant award of just under £200k to the Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust (LCDT) in In Renfrewshire. The capital will support its plans to purchase Category A listed Lochwinnoch Church from the Church of Scotland and transform it into a multi-use community hub.
The church, built in 1806, has deteriorated since being closed in 2020 and is now up for sale.
In Helmsley, in the North York Moors National Park, conservation of Grade II* listed All Saints Church will be supported by the newly announced funding.
The church has been awarded just over £138k to develop its plans to deliver a programme of traditional skills development and a safe and sustainable future for the historic building and the heritage it holds.
Approximately £85m of further funding is expected to be awarded through National Lottery Grants for Heritage grants programme over the next three years. Any place of worship in the UK, of any religion or denomination, is encouraged to apply.
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“Places of worship are some of the UK’s most cherished historic buildings and many play a key role as a gateway to our heritage and communities.
“This announcement is a fantastic way to end what has been an incredible year of celebration. We are delighted to invest in these places of worship, ensuring that their heritage will be valued, cared for, and sustained, for everyone, now and in the future.”
