- St Andrew’s, Thornhill Square, received £431,804 for spire repairs
- St Richard’s, Ham, received £428,384 for roof structural support
- Union Chapel, Islington, received £172,274 to repair and reopen its Sunday-school hall
- The grants came through Historic England with National Lottery funding
Three London church buildings have received more than £1 million for urgent repairs, the Church Times reported in April 2026.
St Andrew’s, Thornhill Square, in Islington received £431,804 to repair its spire, which has been under protective netting. St Richard’s, Ham, received £428,384 for structural support to its roof before further essential repairs can be done. Union Chapel in Islington received £172,274 to repair its Sunday-school hall and reopen it as an arts and heritage space for the community.
“These three special buildings are not only beautiful historic places in need of urgent funding for repairs, but they are all essential to their local communities,” said Tom Foxall, Historic England’s regional director. “We’re proud to step in to help ensure people can continue to benefit from these magnificent spaces.”
Stuart McLeod of the National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “London’s historic churches sit at the heart of our communities, shaping the places where people come together.”
The grants reflect a model in which public and lottery money helps congregations maintain buildings that serve wider communities. Spires and roofs are among the most expensive elements to repair, and delays can make them dangerous.
Jamaica’s historic churches, some of them damaged by Hurricane Melissa, could benefit from similar partnerships between heritage bodies, government and private donors. Congregations should document their buildings’ heritage value and community uses, since these strengthen applications for help, and should address roof and structural problems early, before they become emergencies.
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