National Churches Trust funding for Cemetery Road
The Sheffield Baptist church can plan for the future thanks to a new project development grant for its Grade II Listed building
Cemetery Road Baptist Church, Sheffield, is among twelve churches across the UK to have been awarded a Project Development Grant from the National Churches Trust, the UK’s church repair and support charity.
With its Victorian Romanesque design and large rose window, as well as its twin towers, this Grade II Listed building is thought to be modelled on Bloomsbury Baptist Church in London.
Project Development Grants, a new funding stream, allow churches to develop and plan high quality repair and community projects. This includes getting expert advice in making applications for grants to major funders to help pay for structural repairs and the installation of modern facilities.
As well as worship, Cemetery Road Baptist Church is used for English classes, asylum support, lunch club and FoodCycle community meals, choirs, university groups, Al-Anon and mental wellbeing support, pantomimes and exhibitions.
The National Churches Trust’s Project Development Grant of £10,000 will be used to decide how best to make even more use of the church. The church will produce a ‘master plan’ to decide the best alterations to the building, and work out a funding plan. Aims are to fix damp, install an energy efficient heating system, accessible toilets and storage, and to restore parts of the interior.
Clare Bonson, Chair of the Church’s Property Advisory Group (pictured), on hearing of the National Churches Trust Grant, said, 'This is amazing news. Praise God! The grant is a wonderful springboard for delivering our vision that our buildings will provide first-class, sustainable facilities to support the church’s worship and ministry in the local community.
'We want the buildings to be a great place for Christians to come together, for worship and fellowship, and to show and share the good news of God’s love, by getting to know our neighbours, regardless of faith.'
Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust said, 'Finding out what work is necessary, and how much it will cost, is one of the hardest parts of planning a major repair or modernisation project for churches.
'With the help of the National Churches Trust, congregations can help ensure the future of their building for many years to come.'
Baptist Times, 08/02/2017