Borough churches receive funding for protection of religious buildings

St Mary in the Baum

Ten churches across Heywood, Milnrow, Norden, Newhey and Rochdale have received a share of public funding as part of the government’s conservation of listed places of worship across the country. 

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme supports the protection of religious buildings representing all faiths and denominations, benefiting local communities, with the cash boost coming before Christmas.

Beneficiaries of the scheme this year include:

• St John the Baptist RC Church – £150,457.39
• St James’ Church, Ashworth – £5,301
• Hope Chapel, Rochdale – £2,385.08
• St Edmund’s, Falinge – £326.70
• St Paul’s Church, Norden – £1,629.23
• St Mary in the Baum, Rochdale – £320
• Rochdale Parish Church of St Chad – £9,716
• Milnrow Parish Church (St James’) – £24,395
• St Thomas’ Church, Newhey – £140.75
• St Luke’s, Heywood – £43,352.94

Since 2010, the Places of Worship Fund has invested £346 million in listed churches, synagogues, mosques and temples.

The fund provides grants towards the VAT incurred on eligible costs, such as works to the roofs, masonry and monuments integral to the buildings.