St Andrew’s Church in Great Cornard has been awarded £100,000 from Babergh District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund to support a major internal upgrade project that will improve accessibility and expand the building’s use as a community venue.
The funding will help deliver essential improvements to the Grade I listed church, including the installation of an accessible toilet, refurbishment of the kitchen, and improvements to accessibility throughout the building. These works will enable the church to host a wider range of activities while continuing its important role as a place of worship.
St Andrew’s already supports a variety of community initiatives including a weekly coffee morning, the 'Still Good to Eat' community larder, civic services, and social events. However, the lack of toilet facilities and modern catering space currently limits the building’s potential as a community hub.
The Revd Chris Ramsey, Vicar of St Andrew’s Church, said: “We are delighted and grateful to receive this support from Babergh District Council. St Andrew’s church has been at the heart of Great Cornard for centuries, and this investment will help ensure the building can continue to serve the community for generations to come. These improvements will make the church far more accessible and flexible, enabling us to host a wider range of activities and community events while preserving this historic building.”
The project has been developed over more than a decade with consultation across the village and received Faculty approval in 2021. Once complete, the improvements will allow the church to better serve residents of all ages and abilities and support a wider range of social, cultural and wellbeing activities in the village.
Alongside the significant investment from Babergh District Council, the project has also received support from several charitable trusts including Benefact Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Suffolk Historic Churches Trust, Ganzoni Charities Trust, the Beatrice Lang Foundation and the Great Cornard Townland Charity, together with local fundraising and donations from the church community.The CIL grant forms a key part of the funding package enabling the works to proceed. Work on the project is expected to begin once final preparations are complete.
Edmund Harris, DAC Secretary said "This church has a special place in my affections as I’ve been working with it for as long as I’ve been in this job. The need for this project was obvious the second I first stepped through the door and when the application for the work cleared the approval process it was a real cause for celebration. This project will transform the church, make it a really powerful tool for mission and major force for good in its community. Many thanks to Babergh District Council and very well done to everyone who made this happen. I can’t wait to see the finished result!"