£81k for repairs to Newcastle church

£81k for repairs to Newcastle church

28 August 2019

PRIORITY repairs to one of Newcastle’s oldest churches will be funded by a grant of just over £81,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The spire and tower of St John’s Church of Ireland church will receive essential repairs.

The 187 year-old church, situated overlooking the South Promenade, needed work to repair rain water ingress into the spire and tower.  

Canon Ian Ellis, church rector, said that the generous grant of £81,200 was made possible by money raised by National Lottery players and generously supported by the church parishioners.

He continued: “We are thrilled to have received this support with thanks to the National Lottery players and are confident the project will enhance the church and sustain it for the use of all people for the foreseeable future.”

Supported through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, work has started to prevent the constant flow of rain water into the church’s spire and tower.  

This ingress of water has already created internal damage to the inside of the spire, tower, bell platform and the main entrance.  

Canon Ellis added: “If the problem was not addressed it would have led to a possible collapse of the spire and hence closure of the church.  

“It is planned that the repair project will be completed by the end of October. This will ensure that this important local landmark will be secure for generations to come and visitors to the town can continue to enjoy it as a back.”

The parish’s project convenor, Dennis Constable said: “This repair work will ensure that people will still be able to visit the church and enjoy looking at the heritage and the wonderful stained glass windows.  

“The church also holds many treasures of history that stretch back in Newcastle’s history and which are relevant to many people.”

He added: “The repairs, which include the bell tower platform will provide for the church bells, which have been silent for so long, to once again to be rung.”