A CHURCH in the hills is thanking heaven for a massive Heritage Lottery Bid success that has saved the 800 year old building from falling into ruin.

The Heriatge Lottery Fund has earmarked more than £200,000 to the 12th century Church of St John at Myndtown near Church Stretton.

It is a grade II listed building and in need of major repairs and has only 19 parishioners on the register.

“We are so very grateful to the HLF: without them, it would have been impossible to raise so much money and the historic church would have been likely to close and fall into ruin,” said John Burt, who led the bid.

As a start, the Heritage Lottery Fund will be providing a grant of £20,600 to fund the development phase of the restoration project, which, all being well, will lead to the awarding of the further £202,500 it has earmarked for the delivery phase.

“The development phase allows for more in-depth investigative work to be undertaken on the structure to see if there are any nasty surprises which may require more resources that were estimated when the application was submitted,” added John Burt.

“Up to a year is allowed for this phase but we are aiming to complete it as quickly as possible, with a view to applying for the delivery phase early next year and, all being well, getting it underway by the summer.”

The tiny church is on Historic England’s at risk list and it sits in an idyllic location, nestled at the foot of the Long Mynd, in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Work to the building will include a complete re-roofing, new rainwater goods, installation of underground drainage to carry rainwater to soakaways, repairs to stonework, the porch and bellcote, rewiring and the complete re-rendering of the interior and exterior.

However, the HLF wants the projects they fund to enable people to interface with the heritage and to engage communities.

Accordingly, parish volunteers are already working on research which will result in interpretation boards, information leaflets, designing walking, cycling, mountain biking and horse-riding trails, talks and special events.

Since the decision was taken to save the church, an innovative series of fundraising events took place and some £8,000 was raised in 15 months. This will be contributed to the project, as will many hours of volunteer time.