June 26, 2015 9.40 am This story is over 113 months old

Lincoln’s oldest church secures £68k repairs grant

Vital funds: A church which has served Lincoln for over 1,000 years has secured an investment of £68,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for urgent repairs and roof maintenance.
St Mary Le Wigford Church on Lincoln High Street. Photo: Google Street View

A church which has served Lincoln for over 1,000 years has secured an investment of £68,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for urgent repairs and roof maintenance.

The Grade I listed St Mary le Wigford Church, on St Mary’s Street in Lincoln city centre, will undergo work to repair damage to the Saxon tower and surrounding areas, as well as provide a new access point.

Not only will this grant from the HLF enable essential repairs to secure the future of this Grade I Listed building, but an amount has also been included to improve the interpretation of the many items of historic interest in the church, particularly those relating to the ‘Lost Churches of Lincoln’.

A new church website will also be launched, and a volunteer research team we will be assembling new maintenance and welcome groups to ensure the continued preservation of the church building and the development of hospitality.

The Revd Jeremy Cullimore said: “We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this grant. St Mary le Wigford has served Lincoln for over 1,000 years, and it’s great to know that we are a step closer to giving it a new role for the 21st century. ”

People interested in volunteering should call Revd Jeremy Cullimore on 01522 542908.

St Mary’s is Lincoln’s oldest continually occupied building and has an interesting history which reflects the city’s fortunes, not least as being one of only two churches to survive the siege in 1644 and continue to hold regular services.

For this it received a brass chandelier in 1720 from the City of Lincoln Council.

Volunteers at the church have begun discussions with Visit Lincoln, the Civic Trust and Lincoln BIG to develop the opportunity to signpost not only the cathedral, castle and Magna Carta, but also to point out the many other attractions Lincoln can offer to visitors.

As St Mary le Wigford lies at the heart of the major developments proposed by the City of Lincoln Masterplan, including the planned new Transport Hub.