Water leaking through roof of St John's Church in Greatham

Water is entering St John the Baptist Church in Greatham, Hartlepool, due to an issue with the drainage; a combination of damaged pipes and the system being blocked by tree roots has taken a devastating toll on the building.

On top of this, the sandstone is seriously eroding around the windows of the historic church.

Inside, there’s a large damp patch in the East Chancel wall and the plasterwork in the church is crumbling and damaged due to the water seeping into the building.

There is an urgent need to get the church watertight before winter closes in.

Inside St John the Baptist Church in Greatham (Image: ST JOHN'S)

Despite the ongoing issues at the church, help is on hand after the much-loved church is set to share in a £496,625 urgent funding pay-out from the National Churches Trust.

On the recommendation of the National Churches Trust, the church will receive a £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation for urgent tower repairs.

The church will also receive a £4,000 Grant from the Headley Trust, on the recommendation of the National Churches Trust.

The building is used by local schoolchildren for their Christmas, Easter and Harvest and school leavers Services.

As well as the close relationship with the Hospital of God care home next to the church, the church also runs coffee mornings and hosts social functions to bring the community together and for them to enjoy the beautiful heritage inside the building.

Once the church roof is secure and watertight, the church will return to being a much more welcoming space.

Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said: "The National Churches Trust is excited to be able to support St John the Baptist church to enable them to carry out urgent roof repairs to their building. Not only will this protect this important heritage, but it will help to keep the church building open and serving local people.”

Outside St John the Baptist Church in Greatham (Image: ST JOHN'S)

“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today and tomorrow.”

During the work, the entire drainage system will be replaced.

The asbestos guttering will also be replaced with cast iron gutters. The walls will be repointed, and the eroded stones will be replaced with like-for-like locally quarried stone.

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: "Churches sit in the heart of their communities and provide unrivalled support to local people. We are delighted to continue to partner with the National Churches Trust to help conserve and restore listed places of worship of outstanding historical and architectural significance, preserving these much-loved buildings for future generations to enjoy.”

A major restoration occurred in 1792. This work demolished the Norman walls within a few feet of their foundation. Despite these restorations, the Church still holds onto historical features.

There are in the present church various pieces of stone masonry which have been discovered during the periods of reconstruction. There is evidence of them dating back to the early Saxon structure of the Church.

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Reverend Philip Bullock, Priest in Charge of St John the Baptist Church Greatham, added: “On behalf of the church and village community, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the National Churches Trust, The Wolfson Foundation, and The Headley Trust for their generous grants in support of our church repair programme.”

“The grant will enable us to carry out vital works to the building, including a complete replacement of the blocked and damaged drainage system, replacement of the worn-out asbestos guttering, and crucial stonemasonry repairs. This work will make the church watertight again and protect the structure for many years to come.

 “Keeping the building in sound order is crucial to maintain this lovely and ancient church in top condition for both worship and the many community activities that are the lifeblood of our village.”