17 local churches, across the borough of Sefton, are among nearly 5,000 religious buildings to have received a share of £42 million in public funding before this year’s Christmas celebrations, as the Government continues its support for the conservation of listed places of worship across the country.
As more than one million people attended Midnight Mass and Christmas Day services, they may have been attending one of the 4,900 places of worship which have benefited from Government support over the last year to ease the cost of essential conservation and maintenance work.
Beneficiaries of the scheme in the Bootle, Sefton Central and Southport constituencies have received nearly £100,000 this year:
St. James, Bootle
St. Philips, Litherland
Christchurch, Waterloo
The Parish Church of Crosby St Faith, Crosby
St. Luke's, Crosby
St. Nicholas, Blundellsands
St. Joseph's, Blundellsands
St. Helen's (Sefton Parish Church), Sefton Village
St. Andrew's, Maghull
St. Benet's, Netherton Green
St .Peter's, Formby
Holy Family, Ince Blundell
St. James, Birkdale
St. John's, Birkdale
St Marie on the Sands, Southport
Holy Trinity Church, Southport
St. Cuthbert's, Churchtown
Arts and Heritage Minister, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, before Christmas Day, said:
"As churches across the country fill up for Nativity plays and Christmas services, it’s a reminder of the huge role that they and other places of worship play in the lives of their community.
The Listed Places of Worship Scheme supports these precious buildings, which are cherished by people of all faiths and none.
With nearly 5,000 supported over the past year alone, I’m glad to see the difference it has made to visitors, worshippers, and the people who look after them for the benefit of future generations"
More details about the eligibility of the scheme, and details of how to apply, can be found at https://www.listed-places-of-worship-grant.dcms.gov.uk
In 2022, The Church of England reported that 1.6 million people attended Christmas services.
