Lifeline for Historic Cornwall Church as Urgent Roof Repairs Receive Major Funding Boost

St Grada & Holy Cross Church Set to Benefit from Over £45,000 in Emergency Funding

St Grada & Holy Cross Church, a Grade I listed building located on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, is set to undergo urgent repairs after securing a significant portion of a £735,326 funding payout from the National Churches Trust. The funding, totalling £45,000, comes as a lifeline for the historic church, which has been battling severe deterioration of its roof.

A Roof on the Brink of Collapse

The Victorian-era roof of St Grada & Holy Cross has reached a critical state, with timbers and slates in such poor condition that water frequently floods the church, and debris rains down onto the pews. The structure’s remote location, constantly exposed to high winds and rain, has taken a heavy toll on the building, which is listed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.

In recent years, local fundraising efforts have been nothing short of heroic. Even the local schoolchildren have played a part by personalising new slates for the roof. However, despite these efforts, the church’s deteriorating condition continued to pose a significant threat to its survival.

Community Spirit Meets Financial Support

The much-needed financial support includes a £30,000 grant from the National Churches Trust, alongside a £5,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation and an additional £10,000 from the Headley Trust. This injection of funds brings new hope to the small community of St Ruan and St Grade, which has already raised an astonishing £60,000 from a parish of fewer than 1,000 people.

Mary Keeley, Chairman of the Friends of St Ruan and St Grade, expressed her gratitude for the grants, noting the significant boost they represent for the campaign to save the church. “This award represents a 50% increase in our funds and has completely re-energised our campaign. We can’t wait for the work to be done so it can be a welcoming space once more,” she said.

Sheila Stephens, the Church Warden and member of the Parochial Church Council, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the long-awaited repairs. “Replacing the roof after 160 years is long overdue, and thanks to this generous grant, it’s within touching distance,” she said.

Preserving Heritage and Community Life

Once the repairs are complete, the church will be able to offer a secure, watertight space for worship and community activities. Local groups, including a history society, choir, and art group, are eager to resume their activities in the building, ensuring that St Grada & Holy Cross remains a vibrant part of the community despite its rural location.

Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, emphasised the importance of preserving such heritage sites. “Not only will this protect this important heritage, but it will help to keep the church building open and serving local people,” she said.

A Rich History

St Grada & Holy Cross Church is steeped in history and local folklore. According to legend, Sir Roger Wallysborough, a Cornish crusader, gifted a fragment of the True Cross to the church in the 13th century after surviving a shipwreck on the Lizard Coast. This event is said to have led to the renaming of the church.

The church retains several historical features, including a finely engraved 13th-century font made of light granite and a Victorian-era chancel that incorporates locally sourced serpentine stone, unique to the Lizard Peninsula. A “devil’s door,” used in baptisms to let evil spirits escape, remains a distinctive feature of the building.

The Broader Impact

The funding for St Grada & Holy Cross is part of a broader effort by the National Churches Trust to support 87 churches across the UK, ensuring they remain open and in good repair. In 2023 alone, the Trust awarded over £2 million in grants to preserve the UK’s rich church heritage.

For more information about the National Churches Trust and their ongoing work to preserve the UK’s church buildings, visit nationalchurchestrust.org.

Similarly, the Wolfson Foundation, which has supported civil society through projects in science, health, and heritage since 1955, continues to play a key role in preserving historic places of worship. More details can be found on their official website.

To learn more about St Grada & Holy Cross Church, visit their official website. If you would like to contribute to their ongoing fundraising efforts, please visit their fundraising page or donate directly through their JustGiving campaign.

With this significant financial boost, St Grada & Holy Cross Church is poised not only to survive but to thrive as a cherished centre of worship and community life once again.