Ilfracombe church at risk secures funding for urgent repairs

An Ilfracombe church placed on the Heritage at Risk Register is set to undergo urgent repairs thanks to a grant aimed at securing its future for the local community.

St Philip and St James Church, known to locals as Pip & Jim’s, has been battling worsening conditions following damage caused by Storm Darragh in December. 

A hole was torn through the church spire, which has since been patched up, but water has continued to pour through the west wall, damaging the interior and forcing the church to restrict access to parts of the building.

Falling plaster and stonework have made the west end of the church unsafe to use. 

It’s also where the only tap and socket for making tea are located, causing issues for the many community groups that use the church during the week.

A £22,000 grant from the National Churches Trust will now allow vital works to go ahead. 

It forms part of a wider emergency payout of over half a million pounds awarded to historic churches across the UK.

The funding will be used to make the west side of the Grade II* listed building watertight again by repairing stonework, replastering walls, and installing a kitchen servery and accessible entrance. 

These changes will allow the church to continue hosting local groups and services while preserving an important part of Ilfracombe’s heritage.

Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said: “The National Churches Trust is delighted to be able to support St Philip and St James to enable them to carry out urgent repairs to their beautiful building. Not only will this protect this important heritage, but it will help to keep the church building open and serving local people.”

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

Nigel Vince, project manager at St Philip and St James, said: “The chances of closing the church were very high, but our small, dedicated team of volunteers have enabled this extremely prominent, historically important Grade II* listed building to have serious repairs. As an active and growing church serving the community we have also planned in a servery and disabled access to best cater for the many groups increasingly using the building.”

“It is thanks to the National Churches Trust, along with other grant bodies and the great efforts by our community to fundraise, that we have been able to undertake this major renovation.”

The church, built in 1856 by Gothic Revival architect John Hayward, is recognised as one of the finest 19th-century churches in North Devon. 

Its location overlooking Ilfracombe harbour is said to make it a key part of the town’s seafront identity, serving generations of sailors, tourists and residents.

Inside, visitors are met with stained-glass windows, intricate stone heads, and decorative pillars with motifs of pomegranates and grapevines. 

The west window showcases the four Gospel writers, while the east window behind the altar shows scenes from the life of Jesus.

Despite its heritage, the church has suffered from its exposed position by the sea, taking repeated damage from storms and salt-laden air.

The cost of maintaining listed places of worship is becoming increasingly difficult, with changes introduced by the Government this year capping VAT rebates at £25,000 per project. The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which has helped over 13,000 churches since 2001, will also only be available until March 2026 unless extended.

Claire Walker added: “Changes by the Government to the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme have effectively imposed VAT on listed churches that need any major repairs. This will be unaffordable to many of them as the burden of caring for these buildings already falls onto local people and could lead to even more churches falling into disrepair or closing completely.”

“There are already more than 900 churches on the Heritage at Risk Register in England, rising every year. But this is about more than just heritage – churches host and run support for local people; mental health groups, food banks, warm spaces and parent and toddler groups, which would be impossible for local authorities to fund and run if the church was forced to close.”

“The VAT scheme must be made permanent and its cap removed in the upcoming spending review to protect our church heritage and to see these buildings kept open and serving local people.”

The team at the church hope that with the repairs funded and more community support, the church will remain a vital space for generations to come.