A PROJECT to preserve an ancient Grade I listed church in Brightlingsea has been given a £9,000 boost.

The 13th Century All Saints’ Church has received a grant of £9,000 from the Allchurches Trust for its ambitious project to preserve and share the heritage of the church and churchyard with the community.

The scheme includes an equal-access indoor toilet and small kitchenette and repairs are also planned for the historic church tower.

The Grade I listed building was first constructed 800 years ago and has an iconic wall frieze of tiles commemorating all parishioners lost at sea during the past 150 years, as well as other significant features on the walls and floor brasses.

The grant enables the project to get going, contributing about ten percent to the first development phase, but the church said more than £300,000 is still needed in order to complete the project.

The project will see modern comforts introduced to the church, along with better access to the historical and interesting artefacts.

A spokesperson for the All Saints’ Project said: “We’re delighted that we have received this generous grant from Allchurches Trust, as it will enable us to continue to honour our heritage and ensure a flourishing future, which will give generations to come a sense of history, community and purpose.

"As a landmark building, which every visitor to the town passes, the church represents home-coming and safety to today’s townspeople as much as it did in the past when riding-lights were lit on the Tower to guide sailors to safe harbour.

"The project will not only see the Tower parapets, stone and leadwork made safe but with a new toilet and kitchen facility it will allow more cultural, musical, educational and community events to take place.

"Making the most of the famous maritime links locally, sharing the heritage of the church interior as well as exploring the resources of the very large churchyard outside, will enable upwards of 1,000 more participants and visitors per year, in addition to what happens currently.

"An encouraging number of local people have offered themselves as supporters or volunteers to get the heritage programme up and running."

Allchurches Trust, which owns the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, is one of the country's largest grant-making charities and gave more than £16 million to churches, charities and communities in 2018.

In December, the church was handed development funding of up to £61,000 by National Lottery Heritage Fund to help the parish of Brightlingsea and the Friends of All Saints’ progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant at a later date.