Home / Environment / Derelict Church Saved: £300,000 Grant Secured
Derelict Church Saved: £300,000 Grant Secured
7 Feb
Summary
- A £300,000 grant offers hope for saving a derelict church.
- The Grade II-listed St Peter and St Paul's Church will become a community hub.
- Chelmsford Diocese may contribute 10% if NLHF funding is successful.
A derelict church in Birch, Essex, has received a significant boost towards preservation, with campaigners announcing a £300,000 grant. St Peter and St Paul's Church, empty since 1990 and facing demolition in 2023, is now being eyed for transformation. Birch InSpire, the group leading the effort, aims to convert the Grade II-listed building into a community hub.
The proposed plans include establishing a "cafe with a soul" within the chancel, alongside a shop and flexible rentable spaces. This initiative seeks to create a heritage destination for local residents and visitors from nearby Colchester. The £300,000 grant is a critical step, and further fundraising is planned.
Chelmsford Diocese has pledged to contribute 10% of the estimated £3 million total cost, contingent on the success of Birch InSpire's application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). This diocesan support is crucial for meeting NLHF's match-funding requirements. The group is now focusing on securing NLHF grants and adhering to their project timelines.
