The National Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded St Giles Church, Pontefract, with a grant of £172,100 for the final phase of repairs to its deteriorating stonework, which is now due to be completed by the end of 2016.
The second and final stage of work will include repairs to the stonework on the west, north and east elevations of the church and the renovation of the windows, the north aisle roof, rainwater pipes and drainage, while the grant will also be used to provide materials for heritage interpretation.
Fr Bob Cooper, Vicar of St Giles Parish Church says, “We are obviously delighted to receive the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund towards our aim of renovating the whole of the outside of the building.
“We are delighted with the work undertaken in the first phase which has already made a considerable contribution towards preserving the heritage of arguably the town’s most prestigious building.”
The first stage of the work on this Grade II listed building was completed in 2014 after £242,000 was spent on repairing the south elevation stonework, windows and drainage.
Most of the investigations undertaken to determine the extent of the second stage of repairs the building needs was completed last year, also with funding from the Lottery Fund, but further investigations into minor works needed on the tower have yet to be carried out.
Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber, says, “Places of worship house a host of heritage stories and artefacts.
“This project will rejuvenate and revitalise an important local building, bringing it back to the heart of the community and highlighting its heritage stories for the local community to enjoy.”
The Pontefract Town Centre Masterplan describes St Giles’ as ‘one of the jewels in Pontefract's historical offer with an important role in supporting the development of Pontefract as a tourist destination. The church also has an important role in supporting the local community and has plans to develop its facilities in this regard’.
‘The Church at the Heart of the Town’ dominates Pontefract’s Market Place and remains the vibrant centre of the local community providing space for a number of regular groups and meetings including the local Job Club, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) meetings, White Rose credit meetings as well as holding a small café for visitors.
Grants for the church have also been received from The Garfield Weston Foundation, Allchurches Trust and Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust, so all the planned work can go ahead and the church can continue playing its key role among the community.
Built in the 12th century, St Giles’ reaches beyond the worshipping congregation in Pontefract and into the community, making these works crucial across the entire area.
For further information, please contact Bill Bradley, Project Manager and Vice Chairman of St Giles Parochial Church Council by calling: 01977 613643; or emailing: W.R.T.Bradley@btinternet.com