TWO churches this week won Lottery payouts for vital repairs.
Priory Church of the Rosary and St Dominic in Gospel Oak and St George the Martyr Church in Holborn will receive the cash as part of a £1.42 million grant for eight London churches, which was announced on Tuesday.
Priory Church of the Rosary and St Dominic in Southampton Road has been given almost £100,000 towards re-slating the roof of the aisle and chapel.
The grade II-listed Victorian building is the second largest Roman Catholic church in London after the Brompton Oratory.
St George the Martyr Church in Queen Square will receive £59,000 for repairs to roof lead work and guttering and to provide extra drainage.
The grade II-listed building, built in 1706, retains the pulpit, lectern and many fittings from its rebuilding by SS Teulon in 1867.
The cash from English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund will come in two stages.
English Heritage places of worship manager Richard Halsey said: “The grants should fill the funding gap faced by congregations in maintaining some of England’s finest buildings.
“In return, the public is guaranteed access and we can pass on this national inheritance in good repair to future generations.”
Holborn and St Pancras Labour MP Frank Dobson, who chairs the all-party Parliamentary Group on Historic Churches, said: “Movements in population and changes in religious belief have left many buildings in a really bad way, with little prospect of local people being able to raise the money needed to look after them properly.
“People of all religions or none recognise that these buildings form the major part of our architectural and artistic heritage. We must make sure they get the attention they deserve. These new grants are a welcome contribution.”