Historic England grants £1m to renovate three churches

Historic England has announced grants value over one million kilos towards the repair of three historic London churches.

The lion’s share of the funding will go to St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square, Islington and St Richard’s Church, Ham, Richmond, each of which is able to receive near £430,000.

Over £172,000 has also been put aside for the Sunday School at Union Chapel, Islington.

All three properties are currently on the Heritage at Risk Register.

St Andrew’s will probably be using its grant to repair the church spire. The church dates back to the mid-Nineteenth century and has also received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and an area charity to assist repair the spire.

St Richard’s is a newer constructing, being the work of the post-War Modernist architect Ralph Covell. It is believed to be the one church shaped like a Star of David.

However, this unique constructing is starting to point out its age and is in need of structural support. At present scaffolding is getting used to carry up parts of the roof and the church has been closed resulting from the difficulty.

The church will probably be using its grant to put in additional internal propping for the roof and to construct a big cover to forestall more damage before more substantial repairs can happen. It is believed that comprehensive repairs of the structure will cost around £3 million.

Like St Andrew’s, St Richard’s has also received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Both were awarded just shy of £250,000 each.

Renovation work on the Union Chapel’s former Sunday School began in 2024 and was aided significantly by a £2.3 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The additional funding from Historic England is predicted to steer to the completion of the renovation project.

Tom Foxall, regional director of Historic England, said, “These three special buildings should not only beautiful historic places in need of urgent funding for repairs, but they’re all essential to their local communities as vital places to satisfy, bond, worship in, and luxuriate in.

“We’re proud to step in to assist ensure people can proceed to learn from these magnificent spaces and take pride within the remarkable heritage on their doorstep.

“Working in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other generous supporters means our money can go further and essential repairs are accomplished sooner.”