THE installation of a toilet and kitchen at the Grade II listed St Helens church, on the Isle of Wight, will be made possible with help from a £10,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant, making the church better able to serve its community.

Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of The National Churches Trust, said: “The UK's historic churches and chapels are a vital part of our national heritage. But to survive, many need to carry out urgent repairs and install modern facilities.The cost of this work is far beyond what most congregations can pay for themselves.”

“I’m delighted that the St Helens Church is being helped with a £10,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant.The work on the facilities inside the church will help the church do so much more to help local people.”

63 churches and chapels in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will benefit from the latest grants from the National Churches Trust, the charity supporting church buildings of all Christian denominations across the UK.

In 2019, the Trust distributed over £1.2 million to help churches and chapels tackle urgent repairs, maintenance work and install modern facilities such as kitchens and toilets.

A wide range of grants from the National Churches Trust will be available to help places of worship in 2020 and full details can be found on their website.

The church

The church dates from 1717 and was extensively rebuilt in 1830. It features some fine examples of stained glass windows, including the three-light east window of 1862 by William Wailes, one of England’s most accomplished and visionary stained glass manufacturers, which shows the Nativity, Crucifixion and Ascension.

St Helens Church also features a memorial to Edward Grose (1815) who died at the battle of Waterloo.

The project

The project at St Helens Church will help to fund the installation of a much needed toilet and kitchen.

Rose Gillett, churchwarden at St Helens Church said: “This wonderful news comes in the 300th year since the consecration of St Helen’s church and is a really lovely birthday present!This is a real boost to our fundraising efforts and will go a long way in helping us to bring our lovely old church into the 21st Century.The addition of a kitchen and toilet will make such a difference to our community and we are truly grateful to the National Churches Trust for their support.”