PRESS RELEASE
17th December 2014 
Alderley Edge Parish Church wins Heritage Lottery Fund support for Spire Rebuild and new Community Facilities.
The clergy team, PCC and people of St Philip & St James Church, Alderley Edge are expressing their delight that their church has been awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The Spire Appeal fund has already raised some £76,000 thanks to the generosity of local people. Now this fund has received the enormous boost of HLF support. The initial development grant amounts to £15,100, and if this first phase of the project is deemed satisfactory the church will receive a further £271,000 towards completing the rebuilding of the spire. The HLF scheme also includes funding for new kitchen and toilet facilities within the church.
In addition to the work on the building, the church will deliver a programme of learning resources and cultural activities to engage a wide range of people of all ages with the significant heritage of the church and its history.
Revd Jane Parry, Vicar of St Philip & St James, said “We are absolutely delighted with this outcome and are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for their generous support. We are looking forward to progressing our plans to maintain the fabric of our Grade II* Listed church and to developing it for wider use drawing in the local community and others from further afield, for community events and for the study of the historical resources which will be on display.
Sara Hilton, Head of HLF North West, said: “The North West has such a diverse range of places of worship, each one reflecting the social history of its community, as well as its faith traditions and architectural influences. The spire at St Philip & St James is a distinctive Alderley Edge landmark, the church providing many community activities as well as a venue for worship. HLF is pleased to support this project.”
About the Heritage Lottery Fund:
From the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife, we use National Lottery players' money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about. www.hlf.org.uk