A 700-year old village church in North Hertfordshire has received a funding boost enabling urgent repairs to go ahead.
St Nicholas Church in Hinxworth has been awarded £20,000 by the National Churches Trust, which will pay for repairs to the nave roof of the grade II listed church.
Temporary plastic will be replaced with terne-coated steel, and repairs will be made to the window masonry too.
The church was built in 1322, and occupies the site of a wooden church dating from 60 years prior.
Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, vice president of the National Churches Trust, said: "I’m delighted that St Nicholas’ is receiving funding for urgent repairs to the nave roof.
"This will safeguard the unique local heritage of this delightful North Hertfordshire church and keep the building open and in use for the benefit of local people.
"Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or as a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today, and tomorrow."
A spokesperson for St Nicholas church said: "We are very grateful to the National Churches Trust for their generous donation of £20,000 to St Nicholas’.
"In 2022, we celebrated our 700th Birthday and launched an ambitious project to complete urgent works to both the tower window and the nave roof, with the hope of keeping the church watertight and well maintained for future generations.
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"The grant from the National Churches Trust enables us to complete that project – the best belated birthday present we could ask for!"
St Nicholas Church has a number of interesting features. Its floor is two feet below ground, symbolising descending into water as for the sacrament of baptism.
The church's name celebrates St Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, echoing the connection to water.
The chancel has a panelled ceiling with simple bosses and mid-19th century stained-glass windows.
A mid-18th century pulpit adjoins a 16th century Rector’s chair, and the octagonal baptismal font dates from the mid-19th century.
The £20,000 being granted to St Nicholas makes up part of the £351,500 being given out by the National Churches Trust. A further 20 churches will benefit from the funding for repairs.
In 2022, the National Churches made more than 255 grants to churches throughout the UK, with funding totalling £1.95m.
St Nicholas holds a Holy Communion service every Sunday at 9.15am, except for the first Sunday of the month, when a more relaxed family service is held at the same time.
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