Following the award of a grant of £3m from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, the Patrimony Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference is delighted to announce that funding has been offered to 28 Grade I and Grade II* listed churches and cathedrals throughout England.
Churches in England were eligible to apply, and applications submitted, together with those submitted for Church of England churches and cathedrals, were presented to an Expert Panel comprising a range of national heritage specialists, and also reviewed by Historic England.
This grants programme is part of the government’s Heritage Stimulus Fund, administered by Historic England and is aimed at supporting major repair projects which either stalled earlier this year because of COVID-19, or where loss of income due to many months of closure put urgently needed projects on hold.
Architecturally outstanding Catholic churches and cathedrals are being supported across England, many in areas of severe deprivation where funding for repairs is beyond the means of the local congregation.
As well as seeing roofs, gutters and stonework repaired and churches made watertight, the grants will support many jobs in the historic buildings and conservation sector and protect much needed craft skills. The focus of the grants is on urgently needed repairs and works to enable buildings to remain open and in use for worship and as places of prayer.
Three Churches within the Plymouth Diocese were awarded funding: St Cuthbert Mayne in Launceston, Our Lady Help of Christians and St Denis, St Marychurch, Torquay and St Mary, Lyme Regis.
In order for us to complete the work at St Marys at Torquay and Lyme Regis we are looking for contractors:
Expression of interest for Lyme Regis
Expression of interest for Torquay