Historic church receives major National Lottery funding boost

St Peter’s Church, one of the town’s three surviving medieval churches, will benefit from an initial grant of £608,146 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support early-stage restoration plans.

Annie Blackbourn, chair of Thetford Town Council’s heritage and events committee, said: “We are thrilled to have received this initial support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now develop our plans to begin the first phase of the restoration project for St Peter’s Church.

“We’re proud to be moving this forward and are committed to seeing it brought back to life.”

Inside St Peters Church (Image: Supplied)

Plans include site surveys, repair investigations and the development of detailed designs.

The town council intends to apply for a full Heritage Fund grant of £2,313,429 to complete the restoration and reopen the church for public use.

Thetford Town Council will also contribute funding and build partnerships with heritage groups to support the project.

Additional financial backing came from the Thetford Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board, which approved a £120,000 grant to strengthen the funding application.

Jo Pearson, chair of the board, said: “This is a landmark moment for Thetford, and one that shows exactly how Pride in Place is designed to work.

“Over £600,000 to restore one of Thetford’s most significant historic buildings, and to build skills and opportunities around it, is a remarkable return on the town’s investment.

“This is what turning ambition into action looks like.”

St Peter’s Church, a Grade II-listed building dating back to the 14th century, requires significant conservation work, including attention to the roof structure and damage to the Tower Louvres.

The project will not only preserve a piece of Thetford’s heritage, but also create a new community space for future generations to enjoy.