The Church of St. Peter in Rous Lench near Evesham has received a financial boost from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help fund repairs during the pandemic.

St. Peter’s has been awarded £25,000 for essential repair work which will stop water seeping through the vestry roofs and damaging significant architectural features within the church including the Rous family memorials, C14th chancel roof, apse altar to the Lady’s Chapel, and oak panelling and a fine capitalled doorway in the sacristy.

The Reverend Canon Richard Thorniley, Rector of St. Peter’s Church, said: “We are delighted to receive this much needed funding from the Culture Recovery Fund. It will make a significant difference to the work we need to carry out to St. Peter’s so that the church can continue to play an important part in the life of our community.”

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.

Grants of up to £25,000 are being allocated to heritage sites, like St. Peter’s, across the country to cover urgently needed maintenance and repairs.

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.

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.”

St Peter’s Church has played an important role in the community and dates back to Saxon times, evidenced by several stone relics, the most interesting and unusual being a richly carved stone of a man carrying grapes beneath a pair of peacocks.

The Grade I listed building is a unique design that has been remodelled at various times, most notably by Frederick Preedy in 1885, and has stained-glass windows and is one of the churches on the Evesham Preedy Trail. As well as regular services, it is also used for benefice services, celebrations and cultural events.

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.”