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This is a text-only version of an article first published on Wednesday, 14 August 2019. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
A Buckinghamshire church is to receive a £20,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant for repairs to its roof, masonry, guttering and downpipes.
The National Churches Trust The Grade II*-listed St Leonard's Church, Grendon Underwood, will be watertight and its historic fabric will be preserved by the work. The lead roof will be replaced with slate tiles.
Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of The National Churches Trust, said:
"The UK's historic churches and chapels are a vital part of our national heritage, but to survive, many need urgent repairs and modern facilities. The cost of this work is far beyond what most congregations can pay for themselves. I am, therefore, delighted that St Leonard's, Grendon Underwood is being helped with a £20,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant. The work will help to secure the future of an historic building and may also help to remove the church from the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register."
Records about the church date back to 1223. Part of the nave is probably from the 12th century and the chancel dates back from the 14th century. The tower was built around 1460. There are wooden panels on the side of the pulpit which date back from the 1620s and there are three marble monuments commemorating local dignitaries dating back to the 18th Century.
The Revd David Hiscock, the team rector, said:
"We are delighted to receive this support from the National Churches Trust.The church contin ues to be the focal point of the village for worship. In recent years we have organised live entertainment, public meetings, breakfasts and hot lunches in winter and afternoon teas in summer. It is fantastic to know that once this work is complete, we will have a building for future generations to enjoy."
The latest National Churches Trust grants will benefit 46 churches and chapels in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The charity supports the maintenance of church buildings of all Christian denominations across the UK. Last year, the National Churches Trust helped support 202 projects with grants of £1.2 million.
23 churches and chapels were removed from the Heritage at Risk Register in 2018 with the support of the Trust's grants. Churches and chapels open for regular public worship (i. e. more than six services a year) and in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands can apply for a grant from the National Churches Trust.