12 churches from across Yorkshire are celebrating this month after being awarded over £39,000 from the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust.
The grants will fund vital repairs to the roofs, windows and ancient stonework of some of the region’s most vulnerable places of worship.
Among those churches receiving funds is St Chad’s, Toller Lane in Bradford. Urgent repointing and roof repairs were needed to prevent deterioration to this Grade II listed church, to ensure it could withstand continued use and act as an important hub in the area..
Built in 1911, this impressive church is home to a number of beautiful mosaics housed in the Great Apse, altar and Lady Chapel, including one of the Virgin Mary.
The church underwent an extensive restoration project in 2012, and continues to fundraise for the ongoing mosaic restoration fund, including resourcing their own winter ale, as reported on 8th November.
However urgent repairs needed on the roof were recently identified and this latest grant from the YHCT has mean that the work can be undertaken.
The church is a focal point in the area, providing a number of events and activities for the diverse local community.
Revd Canon Rolf Crowe, vicar at St Chad’s said: “St Chad’s remains a hub of community life and we are delighted to have received this funding. It will help ensure we are able to carry out the essential repairs, continue to offer a range of activities and be a welcoming place for whole community in this area of Bradford”
David Quick, Chair of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust said “Each of churches we fund have shown how important they are in the local community, and it is vital that these much loved places of worship are preserved so they remain standing for centuries to come”