Sir John Whittingdale joined members of the Parochial Church Council and others at St Andrew’s Church, Althorne to celebrate the success of their application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
St Andrew’s Church dates back to the 14th century but ground movement has led to large cracks appearing and the building is no longer usable. As a result, it was listed as Priority A on the Historic England Heritage At Risk Register. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has agreed to an initial award of £145,761 to allow the develop the plans for its restoration and the submission of a further application for the estimated £1,300,344 needed to fund the full restoration.
Sir John said: “I warmly congratulate the project team members whose hard work has been rewarded with the approval of this initial application. St Andrew’s is a beautiful and historic building and I look forward to the day when it can be used for worship again”
Sir John is pictured with Peter Ingram, Chair of the Restoration Project, and Rev Suzie Fryer
