Urgent repairs to the roof of St Peter’s Collegiate Church in Ruthin, to stop water damage, will begin this Spring, thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

More than £90,000 has been awarded to the Grade 1 listed double nave church dating from the 13th century to make it weather tight and structurally stable.

The building has a particularly magnificent ceiling which is in danger of being damaged by water ingress resulting from a leaking roof. A further £50,000 has been raised from other funders, including the Wilson Jones Bequest Fund and the Church in Wales.

The project co-ordinator, Dr Christine Simons, said: “This is wonderful news and thanks are due, not only to National Lottery Players, but also to all the people and organisations in Ruthin who supported our application. We’ve worked very hard to ensure that the scope of works and the plans for St Peter’s provide a heritage legacy for the whole community.

“Making the building weather proof and structurally sound will enable the reordering of the inside of the church to increase the access and involvement of the local and wider community. The church has a remarkable, rich and fascinating place in local, Welsh and National history.”

St Peter's has a long and eminent association with Gabriel Goodman, Dean of Westminster Abbey. He was born in Ruthin in 1528 and did much to benefit the town including the re-founding of Ruthin School. As part of the grant from HLF, the history and heritage associated with St Peter’s will be explored in a programme of activities throughout 2018. These include guided walking tours, activities for schools based on the life of Dean Goodman, heritage inspired children’s games, family history days and a new guide book.

Richard Bellamy, Head of HLF in Wales, said: “Wales’ historic and diverse places of worship are so often at the heart of our communities. Thanks to National Lottery players HLF funds urgent structural repairs and also improved facilities and visitor information. St Peter’s Church in Ruthin is an excellent example of how HLF can help conserve a much-loved building, so it can continue to serve its local community.”

The work, which is due to begin in April, involves removing the existing slates, adding a breathable under felt to the roof, before replacing the slates. Welsh slate from Penrhyn Quarry, near Bethesda, will be used on the exterior slopes of the Church roof. Existing slates, which are still in good condition, will be used on the roof’s inner slopes. Other work will include overhauling and painting the rainwater pipes and gutters.

St Peter will remain open throughout the works.

Access around the church will mostly be maintained but a small section of the path around the south east corner of the church, maybe closed for a few days while scaffolding is erected.