Scaffolding covers the Robertson Street facade of His Place Community Church as repairs get under way.

Church grant for His Place tower repairs

A grant from the National Churches Trust for urgent repairs to the tower of His Place church in the town centre is the “last big chunk of funding” needed for an extensive programme of repair to the fabric of the church. Nick Terdre reports.

His Place Community Church, which gives onto both Robertson Street and Cambridge Road, has received a cornerstone grant of £27,200 from the National Churches Trust to pay for urgent repairs to the tower of the Grade II listed building, including work on the masonry stonework, window and gutter repairs and extensive repointing.

“We are over the moon with this grant,” said Nicola Roper, His Place’s administrator. “It is the last big chunk of funding that we need to carry out our first major phase of repairs.

“It is such a relief to know that we can now just get on and do the work to make our lovely building safe and fit for the future. We are so very grateful to the National Churches Trust for their support.”

Earlier this year the church received a £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for vital repairs to the building, which has suffered extensively from wind and salt erosion, and to enable a music heritage project to go ahead.

The dire state of the building is reflected in its inclusion on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.

Package of grants

The funding from the National Churches Trust is one of a package of grants worth £421,000 disbursed to 49 churches cross the UK.

“I’m delighted that His Place Community church is receiving a Christmas funding boost to pay for urgent tower repairs,” said broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, a vice president of the trust. “The building is unique and the grant will safeguard unique local heritage and keep the church open and in use for the benefit of local people.

“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or as a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today and tomorrow.”

Previously His Place also housed Opus Theatre, a leading venue for musical events, but founder Polo Piatti announced this month that he was closing down the theatre due to the growing demand on his time as a composer and his inability to find anyone to take over.

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