Hospice hopes to restore church to 'former glory'

St Helena Hospice will take responsibility for managing activities at Holy Trinity Church and its future vision

An 11th Century church could become a community hub with a cafe as part of redevelopment and revitalisation plans.

St Helena Hospice will be the new partner for the Holy Trinity Church project in Colchester and take responsibility for managing the building's activities and future vision.

The church is the oldest standing building in the city and had been out of public use before £147,000 was secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Chief Executive at St Helena Hospice, Mark Jarman-Howe, said they were delighted to have the tender to restore the church to its "former glory" and saw "tremendous opportunities for community engagement".

The Holy Trinity Church project is part of a wider initiative to revitalise Colchester's city centre, with over 15 regeneration projects planned for completion by 2030

St Helena Hospice will take the lead in the redevelopment, which has also secured a £500,000 contribution from government grants.

The hospice hoped the church could become a community asset, blending heritage with modern use.

This included having a cafe open up to seven days a week, a small retail offering, and flexible meeting spaces for community groups.

The hospice also planned to deliver activities, including pop-up charity shops, crafts fairs, arts and craft sessions, events, and potentially weddings.

Mr Jarman-Howe said: "We see tremendous opportunities for community engagement and volunteering through the wide range of activities we have planned for the building.

"We look forward to developing Holy Trinity into a vibrant space that brings people together while preserving its heritage for future generations."

The church will also be a base for the hospice's compassionate communities and bereavement support services.

Natalie Sommers, a city councillor and the portfolio holder for communities, said: "We received a range of creative proposals... all the applications reflected the city's eagerness to see this historic building come back into public use.

"I am thrilled that St Helena Hospice will lead this project.

"They have a deep commitment to Colchester, and I can think of no better partner to ensure the continued success of this important venture.

"This partnership will also help secure the future of the 11th Century Saxon Tower – Colchester's oldest standing building – removing it from the Heritage at Risk listing."