Heritage Grants
St Augustine’s Tower dates from the 13th century and is a Grade I listed building. It stands in the churchyard of St John-at-Hackney. The tower is all that remains of the original parish church, which was demolished in 1798.
Hackney Historic Buildings Trust is a charity that works to preserve and find new uses for ‘at risk’ buildings in the borough. The tower was only accessible on special heritage open days and to pre-booked groups on request. The trust saw an opportunity for the tower to become a valuable resource for the local community.
The trust carried out restoration works, including repairing and cleaning the arches and stonework of the tower. The ground floor was made accessible to wheelchair users for the first time, and visitors can now access the roof to enjoy views of the borough. Volunteers developed a display about the history of the building. The panels include touch-screen terminals offering local information. New interpretation included a revised visitors’ leaflet in English, as well as versions in Urdu, Bengali and Turkish.
A learning space was created and a learning specialist was commissioned to develop sessions and resources for local schools, including a CD of photographs and oral testimonies. Families took part in learning activities during 26 public open days.
The future of an important local building was secured through restoration work and the development of links with local heritage organisations. The tower is now open on the last Sunday of every month thanks to a team of eight local volunteers. School visits can be arranged and the tower has become a popular exhibition space for local artists.
Visit Hackney Historic Buildings Trust’s website for more information about the tower.