MILLIONS of pounds could be invested into transforming Colchester’s oldest standing building into a community hub.
Colchester Council and Colchester-based charity Community360 have submitted a £1.8million bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
If successful, the funding will aid the repair and refurbishment of Holy Trinity Church, in Trinity Street.
It would see the historic church transformed into a community hub operated by the charity, whose current base is in nearby Long Wyre Street.
The council has already funded emergency repair works to the roof of the church with the support of a £500,000 grant from the Government’s Towns Fund.
A further funding application of £250,000 to Historic England will also be submitted soon to enable additional work to the church tower to take place.
The current application seeks to complete further repairs to the building, upgrade the heating system, insulation, and accessibility, and undertake conversion work to ensure the building is fit for future use by Community360.
Colchester Council leader David King said: “This National Lottery Heritage Fund bid builds on our investment in the future of this much-loved ancient church.
“A successful bid will help us ensure a wonderful new facility for a great partner, Community360. They do so much to support many in need.
“This church will be a great setting for all they do and for the generations that follow.”
Community360 chief executive Tracy Rudling added: “Over the years Community360 has seen first-hand the need for the wider community to have access to services and advice which people can trust, a place where people can meet, connect, learn new hobbies, and have access to resources.
“A great deal of hard work has gone into the submission, and I would personally like to thank all the partners involved in making this transformational project becoming a reality.”
The Grade I listed church dates back to the 11th century and was used as a popular place of worship until 1954.
It was later resurrected as a vintage arts and craft centre and community café until it closed to the public in 2017.
Historians believe its square Saxon tower was built more than 1,000 years ago.
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