Even if it raineth every day, St Edmund’s Roundhay will be better protected, thanks to a £10,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant towards roof and guttering repairs.
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 to carry out urgent repairs and install modern facilities. The cost of this work is far beyond what most congregations can pay for themselves.”
“So I’m delighted that St Edmund’s church is being helped with a £10,000 National Churches Trust Grant. The work on the roof and rainwater goods will help secure the future of an historic building.”
St Edmund’s church was consecrated in 1909 and is a centrepiece of the surrounding suburbs in this Conservation Area.
Roundhay, where St Edmund’s is situated, is described by English Heritage as ‘developed at the beginning of the 20th century as one of Leeds’s finest suburbs and its grand churches reflect the wealth of people who settled there.’
The church building is cathedral like in size and height and has a wider than usual nave with comparatively narrow side ambulatories. It is of an unusual construction being of reinforced concrete with a stone facing. Nine of the stained glass windows are by James Powell and Sons of Whitefriars, London.
Work will repair significant damage to the aisle roof coverings, upstands and flashing and the tiles over all the sloping roofs as well as repairing the rainwater goods.
Revd Nigel Wright, vicar at St Edmund’s Roundhay, said:
“St Edmund’s is an active and lively church, attracting some 6,000 people per year in church and community-based events. The financial contributions of the National Churches Trust, together with all our financial contributors, will ensure this engagement can continue for many years to come. With grateful thanks for the vital work and support of the National Churches Trust.”
Grants to help churches
A total of 48 churches and chapels in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will benefit from the latest grants from the National Churches Trust, the charity supporting 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. More details at www.nationalchurchestrust.org/grants