Church wins £40k revamp grant to remain open

St Peter's Church lies at the meeting point of the four main Roman roads in the centre of Chester

A 700-year-old church has been awarded a £40,000 grant to fix an unsafe wall and allow it to stay open.

St Peter's Church in Chester was at risk of closure due to its east wall being in a "serious and potentially dangerous" condition, according to a recent survey.

The was was temporarily made safe last year but permanent action is needed to make the building safe.

Repairs can now go ahead thanks to the Grade I-listed church on Northgate Street receiving a share of £478,110 grant from the National Churches Trust.

The east wall of the church was said to be bulging outwards

The church has been a site of Christian worship for more than 1,000 years.

Its east wall, which houses three large stained glass windows dedicated to Prince Albert, is said to be "bulging outwards" making it "potentially structurally unsafe".

Rev Jonathan Phillips said closing the building for a month last year had a "significant impact".

He said: "We received wonderful practical support from our neighbours but were faced with a huge challenge of raising the money needed for the permanent repairs.

"The grant means that not only will we be able to hold weddings in the building again, we will also be able to remove the temporary structure which is creating a divide across the middle of the church.

"This will be such a joy to everyone concerned.”

The red sandstone building, located on the four main Roman roads in the centre of the city, also houses a café and hosts a weekly art and wellbeing support group as well as operating as a base for other groups.

Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said: "The trust is excited to be able to support St Peter's church.

"Not only will this protect this important heritage, but it will help to keep the church building open and serving local people.”