£1 million Grant Funding to Three ‘At Risk’ Church Buildings in London
Historic England has awarded grant funding worth more than £1 million to three listed buildings in London to aid their repair.
- £446,869 will pay for the installation of structural support at St Richard’s Church, Ham, Richmond, to safeguard the post-war building’s roof until further essential repairs can be carried out.
- £431,804 will kickstart the spire repair project at St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square, Islington.
- £172,274 is going to the Sunday School at Union Chapel, Islington, to complete repairs and reopen the space for community use.
All three buildings are currently on the Heritage at Risk Register.
St Andrew’s Church, Thornhill Square, Islington
St Andrew’s sits in the picturesque Thornhill Square, forming a focal point for the Victorian terraced houses. The church was built between 1852 and 1854 to designs by Francis Newman and John Johnson.
The church spire needs urgent repair and is currently under protective netting. Historic England’s grant of £431,804 will kickstart the repair project, which is also being funded by £249,950 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and an additional £103,000 from Islington charity, Cloudesley.
The church functions as a space for worship alongside its operation as a community hub and children’s nursery. It will host a book festival in April to further raise funds for the spire repair project. Speakers include artist Grayson Perry, journalist Felicity Cloake, and comedian Rob Delaney.
St Richard’s Church, Ham, Richmond
The Church of St Richard, Ham, was designed by post-war Modernist architect Ralph Covell, who was known for his innovative designs, including over twenty churches in the Diocese of Southwark. St Richard’s was listed in 2024 on account of its innovative 1960s architecture, superb ‘dalle de verre’ window glass, and Star of David–shaped plan, which is thought to be unique.
However, its complex and striking hyperbolic paraboloid roof structure has failed, and the building needs urgent structural support. Part of the roof is already supported by scaffolding, but the church has had to be closed until further propping is put in place.
Historic England’s grant of £446,869 will enable the installation of this additional internal propping to support the roof, alongside the construction of a large canopy to protect the building from any further water damage until full repairs can be carried out.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded a grant of £248,000 to prepare plans for comprehensive repairs costing £3 million, expected to begin in 2027.
Former Sunday School at Union Chapel, Islington
Union Chapel is a landmark building off Islington’s Upper Street that was built in 1876-7 to designs by James Cubitt. Best known as a celebrated music venue, behind the main chapel building is the former Sunday School, lecture hall, and vestry block.
The Sunday School will be run by Union Chapel Project as an arts and heritage space for communities that is both accessible and environmentally sustainable. It is in the middle of restoration thanks to a repair scheme supported by a £2.3 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Historic England’s grant of £172,274 will enable completion of the project, which began in 2024.
These three special buildings are not only beautiful historic places in need of urgent funding for repairs, but they are all essential to their local communities as important places to meet, bond, worship in, and enjoy. We’re proud to step in to help ensure people can continue to benefit from these magnificent spaces and take pride in the remarkable heritage on their doorstep.
Working in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other generous supporters means our money can go further and essential repairs are completed sooner.
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