Devon churches awarded £1.25m for roof repairs

The Bishop of Exeter has welcomed the announcement that 23 churches in Devon are to receive grants totalling over £1.25 million from the Roof Repair Fund for Listed Places of Worship.

Over a third of the Devon churches that applied for funding received a grant from between £10,000 and £100,000 towards the urgent repair of roofs, gutters and drains.

The Revd Canon Tom Honey vicar at Exeter St Michael & All Angels church, Mount Dinham, said: “St Michael’s is an iconic church on the Exeter skyline with a very high roof so it is expensive to make repairs. We are delighted to receive a grant of £78,800 to make the roof watertight and help improve the drainage.”

Louise Bartlett, Senior Church Buildings Adviser, Diocese of Exeter, said: “Today’s announcement is really great news for Devon. Local congregations face the constant challenge of how to finance vital repairs to our listed buildings and this support will be very welcome.”

The total funding package for the first round of the scheme is £30 million with a second round of grants to be awarded next year. Both unsuccessful applicants under the initial scheme and new applicants will be able to apply.

The list of successful applicants is available on The Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund website.