A Wigan church will be given a huge £824k to revitalise and restore it
Queen’s Hall Methodist Mission in Wigan is set to receive £824,000 to repair its roof and install a new lift, thanks to funding from Historic England.
A Wigan church has hit a jackpot which will ensure its restoration.
The Queen’s Hall Methodist Mission on Market Street has landed a whopping £824,000 from the Places of Worship Renewal Fund
It is one of 19 sites in the heart of communities, whose rescue the Department for Culture Media and Sporrt says will reinvigorate local pride and ensure people can continue to benefit from their local heritage buildings long into the future.
Trish Green, a Queen’s Hall trustee, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon and it’s going to make such a difference to us because we’re wanting to get the whole building renovated.
“The part that we’ve got from Historic England is to repair the roof and we’ve also got funding for a new lift. We got everything we asked for so we’re absolutely amazed.”
Additionally, once the repairs are completed the church can be removed from the Heritage at Risk register.
The team are now hoping to get started on the work before Christmas.
Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said: “Nothing tells the stories of our nation quite like the historic buildings at the heart of our communities. But too often they are a far cry from their former glory with leaking roofs and crumbling stonework.
“Thanks to this funding, the much loved buildings that fill our hometowns with character will be keeping the doors open to communities for years to come.”
Both funds give priority to areas of England which are in the greatest need, where fundraising can be most difficult and Government funding can have the greatest impact. The schemes are delivered by Historic England.
Emma Squire and Claudia Kenyatta, Co-CEOs, Historic England, said:
“Historic places are at the heart of communities across England. They help shape the character and identity of the places we live, work and visit, and provide spaces where people can come together, connect and take part in community life.
“These grants will support historic buildings and places of worship that face significant repair and conservation needs.”
Queen’s Hall used to be a much larger building but the majority of it was demolished in the 1980s to make way for the new bus station.