Roof repairs hit in vandal attack

A CONGREGATION that has fought a long battle to save its listed church was delighted to land a grant for urgent repairs – then left angry after acts of vandalism set them back.

For 16 years, St Michael’s Church on the edge of the Byker Wall in Newcastle, had lain empty, with worshippers forced to leave the deteriorating building and instead meet in a nearby former bakery unit.

After eventually moving back into the church and erecting a tent inside the building for shelter, they were awarded a £147,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with most of the money aimed at fixing the leaking roof.

But just as work on the roof started, vandals struck, breaking into the church, stealing money from a collection bucket, and climbing on to the roof, causing damage including throwing slates to the ground.

Rev Phil Medley, vicar of St Michael’s Church, said: “A group of young people climbed on to the roof and have caused a heck of a lot of damage. We are very angry and very annoyed.”

In addition to the financial setback, the damage will also cause delays to the roof repairs.

The church, built in 1862-63, has spectacular views over the city and the Tyne gorge with its bridges. Eight years ago it was awarded £450,000 in lottery cash to revive the grounds and create a garden from which people can appreciate the vista.

The plan is to return the church to its role as a hub for the community, especially in youth work, and to use its setting and striking backdrop as a venue for weddings and events.

“One of the aims is to open up access to the building for young St Michael’s Church in Byker had its window broken by vandals who entered and stole some collection money people but this damage has been like biting the hand that feeds you,” said Mr Medley.

The congregation has been meeting under the interior tent with scant heating and lighting, and with the pews having been removed but persisted in their efforts to rescue the building.

It was the original Byker parish church, being built in “a prominent site in Byker-fields”.

Byker was still separate from Newcastle and Shields Road was a country lane between the village of Heaton with 435 inhabitants Rev Phil Medley of St Michael’s Church and Byker, with 7,040.

While most of the grant will go on repairing the leaking roof, the church is to launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise £150,000 for interior improvements, including heating and full lighting.

“A lot of people will have been married and christened in this church and it is amazing that we still have it,” said Mr Medley. “It is a miracle that we have held on as the decision could have been made to close the church and knock it down. But is has a lot of history and people kept going.

“Many people thought the church had closed, but we have a vision and we are still here.”

The latest grant was welcomed as a boost for the church’s lighthouse project, which aims to make the building a beacon for the neighbourhood.

The project will also see the restoration of a

First World War memorial of around 50 names within the church, and a chapel dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Second World War. It is also hoped to involve residents in the social history of Byker’s contribution to both world wars.

After the award of the repairs grant, the Rev Mark Wroe, acting archdeacon of Northumberland, said: “I welcome with great delight and huge gratitude the news that HLF have awarded St Michael’s Byker such a generous grant towards urgent roof repair and the war memorial restoration project.

“The funding of both these elements ensures St Michael’s continues as a place of worship while acknowledging the significant value and heritage of this listed building.”

Izzy McDonaldBooth, chair of the Lighthouse development group, said: “S t Michael’s is a beacon in the community of Byker and this is the first phase of our ambitious development.” Another hope is that the church could be lit up as part of the riverside landscape at night.

A lot of people will have been married and christened in this church and it’s amazing we still have it