A much-loved Fermanagh church is to share in a £611,000 funding payout from the National Churches Trust.

A £25,000 grant will help fund urgent roof and stonework repairs and help safeguard the heritage of St Macartin’s Cathedral and enable the church to continue to serve the local community.

Critical role

Funding for the grant comes from the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division’s Covid-19 Culture, Languages, Arts and Heritage Support Programme.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: “I am delighted that I have been able to provide this support. This will help catalyse renewal activity and animate communities affected by Covid-19 by working with them to tackle the issues faced by our historic church buildings which at the heart of our communities.

“Churches have played a critical role in the Covid-19 response and it is fitting that they now become part of our renewal through increased focus on conservation- led repair of heritage fabric, together with provision of new facilities to help ensure their continued use into the future.”

Repairs

Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of The National Churches Trust, said: “I’m delighted that St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen is being helped with a £25,000 grant from the National Churches Trust thanks to the support of the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland. The funds will facilitate roof and stonework repairs.”

“The grant will help safeguard unique local heritage and to help St Macartin’s Cathedral continue to support its wider community as we begin to emerge from COVID-19 pandemic.”

A total of 67 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.

This is the first round of grants made by the National Churches Trust in 2021. Last year the Trust has awarded, or recommended on behalf of other funders, 260 grants amounting to £1.7 million.

Much encouragement

The grant will support roof and stonework repairs. The Very Reverend Kenneth Hall, Dean of the Diocese of Clogher said: “The Dean and Select Vestry of St Macartin’s Cathedral very much appreciate the award of £25,000 from the National Churches Trust towards the costs of reroofing and restoring the cathedral.

“The total cost of the restoration work, including internal redecoration, will be about £450,000 (excluding VAT). The award from the National Churches Trust will give the parishioners and the local community much encouragement as they continue with their major fund raising campaign.

“It is hoped that the restoration work can be completed in time for the 2022 celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the appointment of the first rector of the church.”