A CHURCH in Bromsgrove is set to receive £60,000 in funding for vital repairs as part of a Government scheme.

St John the Baptist church in the town centre is receiving the money as part of the Government’s Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

Sajid Javid, who is Secretary of State for culture, the department which allocates the funding, welcomed the announcement, saying: “It is great to know the difference this will make to one of our local churches. Churches play an important role not just in the Christian faith, but as centres for the community and as part of our national heritage.

We’re all proud of our historic church here in Bromsgrove and so I was delighted with the news of this grant allocation from my Government department. It will help prevent further damage to the building so that it can be repaired, utilised and preserved into the future.

It is because this Government has made good progress in repairing our broken economy that we are able to support such important projects in our communities and to help preserve our local churches like St John’s.”

The churchwarden at St John’s, Shan Moule, added: “This funding from Government will be of huge benefit to our grade one listed church. St John’s is a thriving and inclusive parish community in Bromsgrove. The funds will go a long way in helping us to do essential church repairs and to ensure the building is open to the community for many years to come.”