All Saints Isleworth is delighted to announce that it has been awarded support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting new project that will help secure the future of the church while bringing more people into contact with its remarkable heritage.
Standing proudly on the banks of the River Thames, All Saints has been at the heart of Isleworth for over 1,000 years. The church is the oldest in the area, is recorded in the Domesday Book, and brings together many different layers of history spanning the medieval period, the Georgian era and the striking modern reconstruction that followed the devastating fire of 1943.
The project will focus on three key areas: safeguarding the church’s heritage, strengthening the organisation for the future, and creating new opportunities for local people to engage with the church and its grounds.
As part of the programme, urgent repair works will be undertaken to prevent further deterioration to some of the most vulnerable parts of the building. Alongside this, specialist studies and planning work will help shape a future major conservation project, ensuring that decisions are informed by a clear understanding of the building’s needs and long-term potential.
The project will also place a strong emphasis on community engagement. Local people will be invited to take part in heritage research, creative activities, gardening projects and volunteering opportunities. A programme of events will explore the rich history of the church and its place within the story of Isleworth, while helping to create a more welcoming and accessible space for everyone.
Particular attention will be given to the churchyard, which will be revitalised through volunteer-led gardening activities, biodiversity improvements and new opportunities for people to connect with nature, heritage and one another.
Revd Dave Cokayne, Vicar of All Saints Isleworth, said:
We are absolutely delighted to receive this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. All Saints has been part of the life of Isleworth for centuries, and this project gives us a wonderful opportunity not only to care for the building, but also to deepen our relationship with the community around us. We look forward to welcoming many more people through our doors and into our grounds as we explore the stories, heritage and future of this very special place together.
The project is expected to begin in October, and will run over the next 12 months, with a programme of activities and opportunities for involvement to be announced in due course.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with heritage, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the project, volunteering opportunities, or future events is encouraged to visit the All Saints Isleworth website or contact the church directly.
About All Saints Isleworth
All Saints Isleworth is a Grade II* listed Church of England parish church situated on the banks of the River Thames in west London. With over a thousand years of continuous Christian worship on the site, it is one of Isleworth’s most important historic landmarks and remains an active centre of worship, community life and heritage.