Churches in the Bradford district have been saved from disrepair and eventual ruin – thanks to a total of £746,000 in Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grants.

Leaky roofs, unique stained glass windows and a cracked church spire will all be preserved for future generations through the Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme, funded by the HLF and administered by English Heritage.

Five Grade II listed churches will receive funds to support urgent repairs.

St Paul’s Church in Buttershaw has been awarded £172,000 for general work, including renewal of the porch and vestry roof and repairs to the window, spire and chimney.

Churchwarden Malcolm Ingleby said: “If we hadn’t got this grant it would have been disaster. We couldn’t have raised this kind of money on our own and we are still going to have to raise some match funding.”

The parish church of St Chad, in Toller Lane, has been placed on the Buildings at Risk register because of the urgency of the work required. It will receive £80,000 to repair the access and drainage on the roof and to combat stone erosion.

Priceless internal mosaics and five Clerestorey windows, produced by James Powell and Sons under the supervision of renowned designer Charles Hardgrave, are at risk from water damage.

Churchwarden David Rayner said St Chad’s needed £175,000 to complete the work and had raised £5,550 in addition to the HLF grant."

St James’s Church, Thornton, will receive £166,000. The building features an early William Morris stained glass window and the Bronte sisters were christened in its font. The bulk of the money will be spent on replacing the roof.

Vicar, the Rev Andrew Greiff, said: “The existing roof won’t make it through another winter. We hope the new one will last for another 100 years.”

Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church in Heckmondwike has been awarded £169,000 for repairs.

St James’s Church in Heckmondwike has been awarded £159,000 to repair its twisted stone spire, which is currently cordoned off for safety reasons.

  • Read the full story Thursday’s T&A