Seven Grade I and II listed places of worship in the capital have shared more than £1.2m in grants from the Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme to pay for for vital restoration works.
The seven venues, St Augustine of Canterbury church in Queen’s Gate, St John’s church in Bethnal Green, St Leonard’s church in Shoreditch, St Mark’s church in Dalston, St Mary Magdalene in Paddington, New West End Synagogue in Bayswater and Union Chapel in Islington, are described as being of “great historical importance”.
Today’s announcement was made by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) who have jointly supported places of worship for more than 10 years and this year expect to make awards of £25 million across England.
Paddy Pugh, English Heritage’s Planning and Development Director for London, said: “From the Sir John Soane designed St John’s church in Bethnal Green to the overt splendour of the New West End Synagogue in Bayswater, London’s places of worship are important and inspiring buildings. They are valued assets in our communities but without doubt, face some very real challenges. These grants will fund urgent repairs so that these wonderful buildings which are so central to this country’s shared heritage can, perhaps most importantly, remain in active use.”
