The Sepulchre Chapel in St Mary Magdalene Church Paddington has received a financial boost from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help fund essential conservation work in the St Sepulchre Chapel during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lifeline grants from the Culture Recovery Fund are designed to protect heritage sites and ensure that jobs and access to culture and heritage in local communities are protected during the months ahead.
St Mary Magdalene in Paddington, London, has been awarded £25,000 to protect and conserve the fabric of the unique St Sepulchre Chapel, created by Ninian Comper in 1894-5.
Grants are being allocated to cherished heritage sites, like St. Mary Magdalene Church in Paddington, across the country to cover urgently needed maintenance and repairs. This vital funding comes from a part of the Culture Recovery Fund called the Heritage Stimulus Fund and is administered on behalf of the government by Historic England.
As well as rescuing precious heritage buildings in need, the injection of cash will protect livelihoods for some of the most vulnerable heritage specialists and contractors working in the sector.
St Mary Magdalene is a grade 1 Listed church built in the 1860/70’s and still sits at the heart of one of London’s poorest neighbourhoods. The restoration of the Church with the exception of the St Sepulchre Chapel, now underway, was completed in 2019 and has become re-branded as Grand Junction @ St Mary Magdalene a new arts and community centre serving local people and London’s cultural community.
Father Henry Everett, the Vicar of St Mary Magdalene said:
“This grant enables us to push on with the most delicate piece of conservation in our magnificent building, which had to wait for the main project to be finished. It is great to welcome conservators back into the church to begin the process of conserving the Chapel, which is a truly precious sacred space.”
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:
“These grants will help the places that have shaped our skylines for hundreds of years and that continue to define culture in our towns and cities. We’re protecting heritage and culture in every corner of the country to save jobs and ensure it’s there for future generations to enjoy.”
Duncan Wilson, Historic England Chief Executive said:
“Historic places across the country are being supported by the Government’s grants awarded under the Culture Recovery Fund. This funding is a lifeline which is kick-starting essential repairs and maintenance at many of our most precious historic sites, so they can begin to recover from the damaging effects of COVID-19.
“It is also providing employment for skilled craft workers who help keep historic places alive and the wheels of the heritage sector turning. Our shared heritage is an anchor for us all in these challenging times and this funding will help to ensure it remains part of our collective future.”
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