Westgate-on-Sea: St Saviour's church secures lottery grant for conservation project
Published: 10:37, 13 June 2018
Updated: 10:37, 13 June 2018
A repairs project at a Victorian church totalling nearly £200k has secured support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
St Saviour's church in Westgate-on-Sea requires a catalogue of works - including conservation of the original stainglass windows and leadwork.
The church has been awarded a second round pass grant of up to £142,200 towards to project cost of £191,111.
As well as preserving its original features, repairs are also needed to the supporting stonework of the 12 high level windows.
Conservation work also includes installing wire guards, overhauling the rainwater goods system, upgrading the church's website to include a new virtual tour of the premises, and producing a new educational display depicting the church's history.
Modern facilities for refreshments and hospitality for the community will be provided.
Work is due to start at the end of July and will be completed by the middle of December.
Brenda Carter, of St Saviour's church, said: "This conservation project aims to save the beautiful Victorian church and its stained glass windows and to continue to provide a welcoming facility and hospitality for the many people who come specifically to discover the long heritage of the church and town and to enrich their knowledge by studying the educational displays and archive material from within the church.
"We are so grateful to the National Lottery Players for their support of our project.
"As a focal place for the use of the community of Westgate-on-Sea, it is up to us to ensure the building provides a centre for the next 100 years, to continue the success started 134 years ago."
Many different groups make use of the church, including the St Saviour's CE junior school, the local Piggy Bank nursery, and the Westgate art and craft group.
The church also provides a meeting place for the Westgate heritage centre, which has more than 200 members.
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Katie Davis