The National Lottery Heritage Fund has agreed to pay £4.2 million to rescue, repair and transform the former Dockyard Church at Sheerness.

The derelict building, described as one of England's great forgotten naval monuments, was ravaged by fire 19 years ago tomorrow (Friday) and now stands empty at the entrance to the docks on the Isle of Sheppey.

Will Palin, who chairs the Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust, said: "This money represents a great moment both for the Dockyard Church and for the Isle of Sheppey. It is a huge vote of confidence in our project.

Hugh Broughton Architects: Walk-thru video of Sheerness Dockyard Church

"This building, which just a few years ago appeared to be on the brink of collapse, will now become the focus of major investment to give it a new future at the heart of life in the region."

He added: "We are grateful to everyone who has supported us, in particular National Lottery players without whom this grant would not be possible.

"The support we have received from the trusts and foundations to whom we have applied has been outstanding.

"In addition, we have received very generous contributions from individual donors."

The Grade II-listed church was built in the 1820s to serve the officers and workers of the newly constructed Royal Naval Dockyard.

The pioneering project will turn part of the building into an ‘enterprise centre’ in partnership with the Kent Youth Support Trust to help young people develop and sustain business ideas.

It will provide a permanent home for the conservation and display of a huge model of the dockyard designed by top engineer John Rennie and will also have a community café and space for events.

Lead architect Hugh Broughton said: "The green light from the National Lottery Heritage Fund means we can now push ahead with the delivery of this important project to restore Ledwell Taylor’s remarkable Dockyard Church.

"It will provide a focus for young entrepreneurs in Sheerness and an enjoyable place for the community to learn about the history of the Dockyard.

"We are now looking forward to developing the scheme with the Trust in collaboration with Martin Ashley Architects.”

Conservation architect Martin Ashley said: "The 11th-hour rescue by Sheerness Historic Dockyard Trust of this outstanding historic Naval Chapel for such a beneficial use is a highly important project.

"The wonderful support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund has now made this project possible. We very much look forward to developing the scheme with SDPT and Hugh Broughton Architects.”

Planning permission and listed building consent have both been secured.

Work is expected to begin early next year with the new centre open in the autumn of 2021.

Chris Foulds of the newly-formed Sheerness Town Council and a trustee of Kent Youth Support Trust, said: "The creation of business and employment opportunities for young adults in Sheerness will help drive the economic growth we are seeking to generate."

Ros Kerslake, chief executive officer of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "This is an exciting project that harnesses the power of heritage to regenerate local communities.

"Making every pound of National Lottery money work harder, it will restore the majesty of Sheerness Dockyard Church, find long-term sustainability for this much-loved community building whilst boosting its local economy through nurturing the next generation of local businesses leaders.

"It’s an impressive initiative.”

Church History

The Dockyard Church was designed by architect George Ledwell Taylor, surveyor to the Admiralty, who was working to a masterplan by engineer John Rennie.

Rennie prepared the site by driving millions of timber piles into the marshy coastal ground.

His state-of-the-art dry docks and mast-house became the envy of the engineering world.

When the government closed the Naval Dockyard in 1960 the church continued to be used as a sports facility, boxing club and later a store.

In 2001 it was gutted by fire.

In 2013 Swale Borough Council bought it under compulsory purchase powers on behalf of the Spitalfields Historic Buildings Trust and in 2015 ownership was transferred to the Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust.

For more details visit www.sheernessdockyardpt.org.uk

Dockyard Model

The Dockyard Model is one of the finest and largest architectural models ever made.

The 1:60 scale model was built by craftsmen and apprentices at the yard and measures 40ft long by 36ft wide.

Even individual oak piles can be picked out.

The model was kept on display in the dockyard's Boat Store and saved from destruction at the 11th-hour by the Department of the Environment's Ancient Monuments Branch in 1972.

It is now kept in a English Heritage store at Fort Brockhurst, near Gosport, Hampshire.

The model cannot be displayed complete because it is so large but parts will be put on show in the new premises. Additional financial support for this has come from the Art Fund.