Huddersfield Parish Church announces the completion of a twenty yearlong restoration programme, thanks to support from National Lottery players
Question: “How do you eat an elephant?”Answer: “One mouthful at a time!”
In stages it has taken the Vicars, Church Wardens, Parochial Church Council, Congregation and other friends twenty years to come to the final stage of restoring and preserving Huddersfield Parish Church.
The Rev’d Canon Simon Moor commented: “The restoration of the fabric at Huddersfield Parish Church has been a mammoth task that seemed insurmountable when it was first realised that a long programme of restoration was going to be needed. Yet, with the dedication of the parish, support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and other grant-making bodies a multi-phased delivery building works was undertaken.”
Since before the year 2000 the tower was renovated, the roofs re-tiled, the internal ceilings and plasterwork restored and in two other phases external stonework repaired. This final phase will complete not only stonework repairs on the south wall and main entrance, but also conserve stained glass on the south wall. Financial support for this phase has come from National Lottery players via the Heritage Lottery Fund in the form of a grant of £164,400, supported with grants from the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust, AllChurches Trust and St Peter’s own fundraising.
Huddersfield Parish Church is well positioned within the town centre and is the focus for many civic events. Over the last couple of years the Parish Church has hosted large profile funerals for the likes of “allo allo“ star Gordon Kaye, footballer Bobby Campbell and famed local runner from the1950’s Derek Ibbotson. Huddersfield Parish Church is open daily from 8.30am and many people use its precincts as a quiet refuge from the busy town as well as a place of prayer, asylum and advice.
The Bishop of Huddersfield, the Right Rev’d Jonathan Gibbs commented: “I am delighted to hear that St Peter’s – Huddersfield’s Parish Church – has secured HLF funding for the last phase of its restoration works. This is the culmination of twenty years of hard work and dedication by all concerned. This is also a vital part of securing the future of this wonderful historic building, and it paves the way for exciting new developments as part of the Church’s vision to serve Huddersfield and its community.”
The Grant will also be used to improve the visitor experience and highlight some of the heritage aspects of the building which has stood on the site since 1836.
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery and #HLFsupported.
Huddersfield Parish Church 