One of York’s most striking churches will soon be safeguarded against the elements thanks to a hefty grant.
The Central Methodist Church on St Saviourgate has been awarded £49,900 to repair its roof.
It comes from the Government-funded Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund, and amounts to just over half the amount it needs to sort the roof.
Over the last two years the church has invested more than £200,000 of its own funds seeking to find new ways of conserving and adapting the Grade II* listed chapel.
The repairs will hopefully make the roof watertight and prevent further damage caused by rain entering the building.
At the same time the ornate ceiling will be strengthened to preserve it for future generations.
In the meantime the church and halls remain open for bookings six days a week, as well as continuing its traditional Sunday morning and evening services to which all are welcome.
Richard Ramsden is the manager of the Transforming Central project. He said:
This grant will benefit all users of the chapel, and once the work is complete will widen the possibilities for new organisations and activities to join us.
A total of £22.9million has been awarded to 401 historic places of worship across the UK since the fund was launched in December 2014.