St Laurence Church in Stroud has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its project, “St Laurence Restored: Protecting Stroud’s Historic Heart.”
Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to carry out urgent repairs and secure the future of the Grade II* listed church as a vital community asset for the town.
Development funding of up to £225,636 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help St Laurence Church progress detailed plans and prepare an application for a full National Lottery grant of around £1.9 million at a later date.
Standing at the centre of Stroud, St Laurence Church is a landmark Victorian building that incorporates a 14th-century tower and spire — the oldest surviving structure in the town. The church is currently on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, and without intervention, faces the risk of closure.
A detailed survey carried out in 2022 identified urgent repair needs to the roof, external stonework, rainwater goods, and stained-glass windows. The St Laurence Restored project will address these critical issues. The initial Development Phase will focus on creating detailed restoration plans and costs, while also engaging the wider community with the church’s rich heritage.
Hugh Richards, Churchwarden at St Laurence, said: “We are thrilled to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now develop our plans to save this much-loved building and ensure it continues to serve the whole community of Stroud for generations to come.
“We expect this Development Phase to run until November 2026. After that, we will apply for Delivery Phase funding to carry out the major repair works and deliver an exciting programme of heritage engagement activities for all ages. We hope to see the church wrapped in scaffolding sometime in 2027 and fully restored by 2028. In the meantime, we would love to hear from anyone with skills or experience who could help us during this crucial behind-the-scenes stage.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “St Laurence Church is a much-loved landmark of Stroud’s heritage and community life. This project will not only tackle urgent repair needs but also connect people with the rich heritage on their doorstep. We look forward to working with the team as they develop their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant.”
