Members of two churches from Golcar celebrated in October 2022 after being awarded £5,000 and £3,500 from the Trust . At Golcar Providence Methodist church, fundraising is underway to replace 10 window sills on the upper floor which have started to rot. This work is needed to ensure the stained glass can be preserved.
The church is a real hub of local community life, hosting a Mother and Baby club, Slimming World, a theatre group for children and young people, exercise classes, wet felting courses, and a weekly coffee and chat session. The YHCT contributed £3,500 to the vital repairs, which will ensure they can be undertaken.
Liz Bishop, from Golcar Methodist church, said: “Our beautiful much-loved building was built in 1885 and has been used for our worshipping congregation since. We are a busy church with a lot of outside groups using the building.
“We have recently set up a weekly coffee cake and chat group for anyone who is lonely or isolated, and we provide a Warm Space for those struggling in our community. This grant will help us to keep the building in a fit state for its continuing use.”
St John’s the Evangelist received £5,000 towards internal redecoration following a substantial amount of roof and spire repairs, plus pointing to keep the church wind and watertight. The church also plays a key role in the village, being used most days of the week, hosting a youth club and having good outreach with the local schools.
It welcomed a number of visitors for Yorkshire Churches Day in September, offering access to burial records and family history records, with over fifty people coming along to find out more.