LONG-AWAITED work to ensure an historic church is fit for the future can now begin thanks to a £110,000 Lottery grant.

St. Leonard’s Church, Thornton le Street, has received the money from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to replace the church roof and carry out other essential works on the building.

Along with the financial support of its patron, Christ Church of Oxford, and a generous private donation, work can now begin on replacing the roof, improving drainage, repairing stonework and refurbishing the glazing in the church.

This major works will take around five months to complete and is the culmination of three-years of tireless behind-the-scenes preparation by parishioners.

Church member Rene Bellas said: “We have had problems with the roof for many years but as a small village community have not had the funds for such extensive repairs.

“Thanks to the help and full support of the church members, villagers and the generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, this work can now begin.”

St. Leonard’s is a beautiful 12th century building which features a magnificent east window by renowned Victorian designer and manufacturer Charles Kempe.

The building has been used weekly for Sunday services and special occasions for over 800-years.

Thanks to the National Lottery grant, the refurbishing works will mean that this Grade II listed building can continue to hold services into the future.

St Leonard’s also houses several artefacts and memorials to some prominent people, notably the Cathcart, Talbot and Crompton families of Thornton le Street and surrounding areas during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Church members intend to research these people and produce a social history of the village.

Organisers would be very interested to hear any information which relates to these families or any other history of the area.

Coordinator, Jacqueline Lee, said: “We have fragments of historical information from old documents and artefacts in the church which we are now drawing together to produce a comprehensive record.

“But we would be interested in hearing from anyone who could offer further insight into the past lives and times of the village settlement and the church itself.

“Anyone with any information to share is welcome to contact us or join us at one of our coffee mornings where they can talk to us and follow the progress of the building works.”