Some historically important Churches in the Yorkshire region have received funding to repair their crumbling roofs.
The funding comes from the National Churches trust charity, which are funding the repairs at 45 churches nationally, with six in Yorkshire.
Grade I listed St Martin in Womersley, Doncaster received the most funding of Yorkshires six, with £40,000 going towards urgent roof repairs to their slate roof, roof timbers and drainage. The roof has been in a poor state for over a year and has allowed water into the building and caused unsightly and unhealthy damp patches. The 12th Century Church is one of the most preserved examples of the Victorian Catholic revival in the North of England, and is a significant public building in the area after the local shops, post office and school have all closed since 2000.
Fellow Grade I listed church Epiphany in Gipton received funds to repair areas of the building that are no longer waterproof, whilst Grade II listed St Peter’s Church in Huddersfield can now carry out urgent glazing repairs.
Other roof repairs will take place at Grade II listed St James’s church in Clapham (N. Yorkshire) to repair broken sections of roof and repairs to the tower, whilst St Alban’s Church in Hull is hoping to finally repair their leaking roof after previous repairs could not solve the problem.
The Grant also allows for the final Yorkshire church in Hebden Bridge (Hope Baptist Church) to install new toilets, disabled access and a stair lift.
Historic repairs of this nature are often difficult with sections of the roof being extremely old, however DPR would like to express their delight that many of Yorkshire’s churches will now be water tight again.