St Nicolas Church, which celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2016, has been awarded £74,900 by the Heritage Lottery Fund.—St. Nicolas Church Restoration Fund, 20 February 2017
This grant, together with church generated funds, will pay for a programme of improvements that will ensure repairs to the roof and rusted windows, and a new electrical wiring and lighting system.
These will be the latest elements of a restoration programme begun in 2006, which protected the church building from the prevailing south-westerly Channel winds and storms. The next and final stage aims to repair internal rendering and finishing, which has been extensively damaged as a result of incoming damp.
As well as keeping the congregation warm and dry, the improvements will mean the church’s many visitors and the audiences to St Nicolas’ burgeoning concert programme will also be able to enjoy the church in much greater comfort.
The grant will also pay for the installation of a landmark display that describes the role of the church over eight centuries from the time when Pevensey was an important medieval seaport.
An overall narrative for the church is condensed into a series of six main storylines, embraced by one overarching theme: “For eight centuries the Church of St Nicolas, patron saint of seafarers, has kept watch over Pevensey, reflecting the town’s fortunes and inspiring its community.” This will be unveiled on completion of the project in 2017.
Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Churchwarden and outgoing leader of the P16 fund raising group, George Stephens said: “The church has been on the Heritage at Risk Register for some time, and could well have had to close permanently if this application had not been successful. Having celebrated the church’s 800th anniversary throughout 2016, this grant means the church will remain for use by the community and churchgoers for many years to come.”
St. Nicolas Church in the parish Church of Pevensey is the oldest building in the village still used for its original purpose from 1216 – 800 years ago.
Increasingly it is also being used by the community for its events. The acoustics are of outstanding quality for music making, talks and festivals.
Talking about the next stage to see the work started, George explained, “some work on the church roof, for which the grant has been given will commence in March, with the remainder beginning in the autumn, so as not to disturb a small bat colony.
“Work is well advanced in sourcing additional grant funds to refurbish and redecorate the internal fabric of the church.
Talking about the totals raised for the project, widely regarded in the community as being a phenomenal effort by the local restoration team, George added “total funds raised by the church to date amount to some £200,000. An additional £80,000 is required to fully complete the church’s restoration”.
