The money comes from the Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme*, which is now funded by HLF and administered by English Heritage.  

The grants are offering much needed funds to London places of worship at risk including St Augustine’s, Honor Oak Park, Southwark; Christ Church, Sutton; St John the Baptist, Enfield; St Andrew, Southbridge Road, Croydon; St Mark’s, South Norwood; The New Testament Church of God, Southwark; and Golders Green Synagogue, Barnet.

The Bishop of London, Dr. Richard Chartres, said:  “This is extremely welcome news.  Congregations across the UK are the custodians of some of our most important historic buildings and while they provide much joy and inspiration, maintaining them is a heavy financial burden.  This vital investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund delivered with the benefit of English Heritage’s conservation expertise, means that local people can continue to safeguard these precious places.” 

Sue Bowers, Head of HLF London, said; “Historic places of worship are an irreplaceable part of London’s heritage and sit at the very heart of our local communities.  Both the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage are delighted that in these difficult times, these vital repairs can still be done, ensuring these wonderful places are secured for future generations.”

Paddy Pugh, English Heritage’s Planning Director for London said; “Places of worship are among are most impressive and inspiring buildings in London.  Their importance cannot be underestimated but undoubtedly, they face some very real challenges. These grants will help to fund urgent repairs so that these wonderful buildings, so central to this country’s shared heritage, can remain in active use.  The combination of HLF investment and English Heritage expertise will continue to help prevent these places falling into ruin.”

Church of St Augustine, Honor Oak Park, Southwark
Grant: £199,000

Set within a nature reserve, the Church of St Augustine in Honor Oak Park is a local landmark. An example of Gothic Revival in the Early English style, it was built in 1872-3 by William Oakley and was later added to by Vincent John Grose in 1894 and 1900. This grant will now enable essential repairs to the stonework at the nave chancel and transept along with work to the degrading drainpipes and guttering.

Christ Church, Sutton
Grant: £122,000

Christ Church was built in 1888 by Newman and Jacques with the later addition of the west end which was designed by J D Round and built during 1910-12.  It is a red brick church with a timber waggon roof and large ornate rood screen. This grant will be used to undertake repairs to the chancel roof, the west end nave, the north porch, the north aisle, the north transept and vestry block. 

Making a difference

Today, it has been announced that a total of £8million has been awarded to 67 Grade II listed churches, chapels and synagogues across the country.  Since 2002, HLF and English Heritage have worked together to award almost £200 million to help repair more than 2,000 listed places of worship, the largest single source of funds to help congregations care for their buildings. 

Notes to editors

*The Repair Grants for Places of Worship in England Scheme is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and administered by English Heritage on behalf of both organisations.  English Heritage gives some funding to Grade I and Grade II* places of worship.
 
Until 2010, the scheme was jointly funded by HLF and English Heritage.  As a result of Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010, English Heritage's budget was cut and it was unable to continue funding the scheme.  In 2011, HLF agreed to provide an additional £9million needed to ensure the scheme is protected in its current form until 2013.   
 
HLF is committed to supporting the urgent repair needs for places of worship and will fully fund the repairs scheme from 2013.  HLF launched a three month consultation at the end of January 2011, inviting views on how best to help urgent repairs for places of worship.  The consultation closed on 26 April 2011 and we are now considering the views expressed in the large volume of responses.  HLF's strategy on funding places of worship will be announced in due course.   
 
Listed places of worship in England of all denominations and faiths are eligible for grants which support urgent repairs to the fabric of the building with a focus on projects costing less than £250,000. There is a two-stage application process with development funding available at Stage One to help work up proposals.
 
To be eligible for the next round of funding, applicants need to apply by 30 June for Grade I and II* and 30 September for Grade II listed places of worship.  Website:  www.english-heritage.org.uk

Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage.  HLF has supported over 30,000 projects, allocating £4.5billion across the UK. 

English Heritage
English Heritage is the Government’s statutory advisor on the historic environment.  It provides advice on how best to conserve England’s heritage for the benefit of everyone.  While most of England’s heritage is in private hands, it works with all who come into contact with it - landowners, businesses, planners and developers, national, regional and local government, the Third Sector, local communities and the general public -  to help them understand, value, care for and enjoy England’s historic environment.
 
It is also entrusted with the custodianship of over 400 sites and monuments which together form the national collection of built and archaeological heritage. These include some of the most important monuments of human history such as Stonehenge and Hadrian’s Wall.  Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk 

Further information
• Please contact Natasha Ley or Alison Scott, HLF Press Office, on tel: (020) 7591 6141/6035 mobile: 07973 613820 email: natashal@hlf.org.uk
• A full list of grants and grantee contact details is available along with 22 England-wide case studies