Work has finally begun to restore a Frodsham church to its former glory, largely thanks to a £180,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Grade I listed Parish Church of St Laurence is undergoing a much-needed overhaul of its roofs, stonework and rainwater systems – four years after extensive problems were identified during the last Quinquennial inspection by architects.
Well-used by its regular worshippers, visitors and architectural historians, it was built in 1170.
Dr Geoff Sharp, from St Laurence Church, described it as a ‘genuine focal point for the community’.
He said: “It is already used for concerts, theatrical productions and special artistic exhibits – in addition to services of Christian worship, baptism, weddings and funerals.
“Focus on the heritage of such an important building will feature strongly in the development stages of the project.”
Access to the church is restricted during the renovation, the current focus of which is the roof over the south aisle.
It is anticipated that the repairs will be complete by June.
The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will also pay for activities and facilities for the community to better understand the church’s heritage.
Heather Powling, from the church’s heritage group, said they are ‘very excited’ that the work is under way after so much planning and shared their vision to bring the church into the ‘heart’ of the town.
“Once the work is completed in the summer, we are planning to have an ongoing programme of heritage events, guided tours of the church, concerts and exhibitions which will bring the building into the heart of Frodsham life and open it up to the general public in new and exciting ways,” she explained.
“This will begin in September, when St Laurence will take part in the national Heritage Open Days programme of buildings open to the public between September 10 and 13.”
The church was visited earlier this year by So JaJa, a relative of Prince Warabo of Opobo in Nigeria, who was educated at the former Manor House School in 1881 and buried in St Laurence’s graveyard a year later after he tragically passed away.
