£1.8m fund to stop historic places of worship crumbling

VOLUNTEERS will be given money to keep churches and mosques in good repair and preserve them “for future generations”, ministers say today.

The £1.8million fund will help worshippers of all faiths take better care of their historical religious buildings.

Expert advisers will work with listed sites in Manchester and Suffolk to increase community engagement and provide maintenance plans.

The projects, due to begin in the autumn, will receive funding over the next two years with eligible buildings able to access a £500,000 minor repairs fund.

Michael Ellis, the heritage minister, said: “The costs of caring for and protecting many listed places of worship can be prohibitive and lead many to fall into disrepair. The innovative pilots ... will help unlock the community potential of these buildings and provide practical guidance so they can be preserved for future generations.”

The move comes after the Taylor Review, published in December 2017, called for greater community use of Church of England buildings to help congregations pay for their upkeep.

The projects, which will involve all faiths, aim to address routine repairs immediately in the long-term hope of preventing more costly problems.

Deborah Lamb, deputy chief executive of Historic England, said: “We are delighted that the Government is funding a new project to support the volunteers who care for historic places of worship.”