A MUCH-loved church in Rhyl shared in a £473,700 funding payout from the National Churches Trust shortly before Christmas.

A £20,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant will help fund urgent repairs to Sussex Street Christian Centre and keep the church at the heart of the community.

Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, vice president of The National Churches Trust, said: “I’m delighted that Sussex Street Christian Centre is being helped with a £20,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant.

“The grant will fund roof repairs, safeguarding unique local heritage and help Sussex Street Christian Centre continue to support local people.”

A total of 47 churches and chapels in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will benefit from the latest grants from the National Churches Trust, the charity supporting church buildings of all Christian denominations across the UK.

£155,700 of the £473,000 grant funding has been provided by the Wolfson Foundation.

In 2021, the National Churches Trust has awarded or recommended 273 grants totalling £3.67 million to help keep church buildings open and in good repair.

The total includes £2m from the Heritage Stimulus Fund, part of the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund.

Sussex Street Christian Centre was built as English Baptist Church in 1862-63 and occupies a prominent place near the centre of Rhyl.

The church was renamed Sussex Street Christian Centre in the early 2000s.

Originally the building was only open in the summer months to accommodate the English-speaking visitors.

Major renovation was undertaken in 1917 and 1951-63.

In the 1980s, the floor was levelled, and movable seating introduced to make the space more flexible.

Notwithstanding the construction date, the building shows late Georgian influences.

It is a tall building with a full height Corinthian column portico originally of red brick with painted freestone dressings.

The windows have largely been replaced, mostly matching the originals.

The grant will help fund urgent repairs to the roof.

As part of the project, the church will also replace the rainwater goods, carry out masonry repairs to the front of the building and repair internal plaster where it has been damaged by water.

The Sussex Street Christian Centre Building Committee, overseeing the restoration project on behalf of the church, said: “We are very grateful for the grant of £20,000 provided by the National Churches Trust.

“We also appreciate the support and guidance given by the National Churches Trust to maintain and preserve our building, so that it will be there to serve future generations.”

The church also received financial support from a number of other organisations towards this project, including the Allchurches Trust, Congregation and General Trust, Welsh Church Acts Fund and Rhyl Community Fund.