BBC news presenter Huw Edwards says he’s ‘delighted’ that St Peter’s Church in Leigh is set to receive a share of a £351,500 heritage funding boost.

The funding from the National Churches Trust, will give a £10,000 grant go to the Westleigh church will help to pay for much needed community facilities for Grade II* Listed building.

The money will help pay for the installation of a kitchen, ensuring the church building can thrive today and tomorrow, as well as serve the local community.

When the church opened in 1881 it cost just £7,000 (equivalent to £750,000 in 2021) and provided seating for 460 people.

What does Huw say?

Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of the National Churches Trust, said: "I’m delighted that St Peter is receiving funding to install much needed modern community facilities.

"The installation of a kitchen will mean the church can be used for a wide range of community purposes and keep the building open and in use for the benefit of local people.”

“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or as 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.”

The Project

) The grant from the National Churches trust will facilitate the installation of a kitchen in the church’s nave.

St Peter's serves a community in need, ranked 392 out of 12,382 by the Church Urban Fund of Anglican parishes in the social deprivation scale.

In order to establish a Community Hub in the local area the church needs to have a kitchen. There are no similar community facilities in the local area of Leigh.

What does the church say?

A spokesperson for the church said: “The Church Council are delighted to be awarded this generous grant from the National Churches Trust. We have now reached our target to fund the much-needed kitchen within our church.”

“Our plans are to create a welcoming facility for the benefit and use of our local community.”

The church

St Peter’s church dates from1881, designed by the famous Lancaster architects, Paley and Austin.

The practice designed over 40 new churches and restored or modified many more.

It has a 1919 Grade II Listed War Memorial set in its beautiful front gardens; reputed to be one of the finest Church Memorials in the country.

St Peter’s is a much-loved church and the focus for family occasions.