St John the Baptist Church in Whittington has been awarded £145,322 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to carry out essential building repairs and launch a new programme of community activities, thanks to National Lottery players.
The significant investment will help secure the long-term future of one of Whittington’s most historic landmarks, ensuring the Grade II listed church remains a welcoming, accessible and sustainable space for generations to come.
The project will address several urgent conservation needs, including repairs to the roof, rainwater goods and church floor, as well as masonry and stonework conservation. Improvements will also be made to drainage and environmental resilience, helping to protect the building from further deterioration and preserve its important heritage for the whole community.
Alongside the repairs, the church will introduce a new programme of activities designed to encourage greater engagement with local heritage, support wellbeing and social connections, and create new volunteering opportunities.
The project will also help make the church more accessible for events, learning and community groups, strengthening its role as a community hub, welcoming wider audiences and supporting its long-term sustainability.
A spokesperson for St John the Baptist Church said: “We are delighted to receive this generous grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now carry out essential repairs to safeguard our beautiful church and expand our work with the community.
“This project will help us protect our heritage while creating new opportunities for people to come together, learn and enjoy this special place.”
Work is expected to begin once Permission to Start has been granted and will continue throughout 2026 and 2027. Community activities will take place alongside the repair programme, giving local people opportunities to become involved throughout the project.
The project will offer volunteering roles, heritage activities and community events. Further details will be shared through the church’s website, local noticeboards and Ripple parish magazine.
