Alvechurch: St Laurence Church gets huge funding boost

St Laurence Church was awarded the grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and said it will them by covering two thirds of the work costs needed to protect and conserve the building. 

There is a particular focus on completing essential works to restore the church tower and clock face to help preserve the church for future generations. 

The grant will enable the restoration of key historical features, ensuring the iconic tower and clock face continue to be prominent landmarks within the community.

The church is set to be preserved (Image: Keith Woolford) The project also aims to invite wider interaction from the community by allowing both locals and visitors to engage more deeply with the church's architectural and cultural heritage.  

The funding, made possible thanks to The National Lottery players, will also help create a sustainable future for the church, promoting wider appreciation of its historical significance whilst ensuring it remains a vital community hub for years to come.

Revd Gail Rogers, vicar of St Laurence Church, said: "We are thrilled to have received this support form The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

"Thanks to money raised by The National Lottery players, we can restore and preserve our historic church tower and clock face through which we aim to increase community engagement and ensure the long-term viability of St Laurence Church as both a cultural landmark, a place of worship and a community hub." 

Some of the damage to the church (Image: Keith Woolford) St Laurence Church is a Grade II listed building with the town forming the oldest part of the structure as it stands today. 

Without the restoration work and grant, the tower would continue to decay and become unusable. 

The church said: "Without intervention, this treasured heritage, and rhythm could be lost forever." 

The project acknowledges the diverse environment of the church and churchyard throughout the restoration process.

Efforts will be made to contribute to the long-term preservation of existing natural and built resources, aligning with environmental conservation efforts.