Key points:
- National Lottery Heritage Fund awards funds to eight religious building preservation projects
- Grants focus on both structural preservation and community engagement initiatives
- Initiatives include the restoration of pipe organs, improving building efficiency and promoting heritage skills
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced £1.25m ($1.57m) in grants to support eight religious buildings across the UK, focusing on community engagement and architectural preservation projects.
A notable recipient includes two Newcastle upon Tyne churches, which received £163,600 for the Discover Jesmond 1888 project. The initiative will connect the United Reformed Church and St George's Church in Jesmond – both housing rare Lewis and Company pipe organs – through a heritage trail and community events program.
St Martin's Church in Bulmer has been awarded £248,504 to improve its 14th-century tower's thermal efficiency and enhance community access, while Lincoln's Greek Orthodox Church of St Basil and St Paisios received £51,763 for urgent structural surveys of their Grade II listed building.
The fund has also approved several development grants, including £380,389 for St George the Martyr Parish Church in Holborn and £198,250 for Lochwinnoch Church in Renfrewshire.
Additional recipients include All Saints Church in Helmsley, Holt Methodist Church and St John the Baptist Church in Nash, with grants ranging from £30,804 to £138,169.
Good to know: The organisation plans to invest approximately £100m over the next three years to support religious buildings across the UK
Commenting on these developments, Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, stated: “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.
“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, these eight fantastic projects will take vital steps towards securing a brighter and more sustainable future for places of worship and reimagine how they can connect with and benefit their communities.”
