Building on Blockley’s HistorY

Refurbishing our church

Transforming our medieval treasure for future generations

Our beautiful medieval church has stood proudly for 850 years, welcoming thousands of people through its doors annually. From the outside, everything looks picture perfect – the exterior has been lovingly maintained over the centuries. But step inside, and you'll discover a building crying out for help.

What needs doing

Behind the noble façade lies a catalogue of urgent problems. Our heating system has completely failed, forcing us to hold winter services in a nearby hall rather than our church. The water supply, electrics and lighting all need urgent renewal. A precious Norman archway is showing worrying structural problems, alongside issues with the basement roof. Several internal monuments are deteriorating, and our magnificent east window – a jewel of our heritage – is leaking and at risk.

A vision for the twenty-first century

Throughout its remarkable 850-year history, our church has evolved to meet the needs of each new generation. Now it's our turn to ensure it thrives for centuries to come.

We've spent recent years working closely with architects and design specialists, engaging in extensive community consultation to develop a comprehensive plan. Beyond essential repairs, we're creating additional usable space, installing proper facilities including toilets and a new servery, and crucially, making the entire building welcoming, versatile and accessible to everyone.

This isn't just about fixing what's broken. Alongside we're creating an enhanced programme of activities for our local community and visitors alike. You'll be able to explore and understand the architecture and history of both the church and village in new ways, and we're building a digital archive to preserve these stories for future generations.

Making it happen

A project of this scale in a prominent listed building requires significant investment – £1.8 million including inflation and contingency. The good news? We're well on our way.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has already backed our vision with an initial grant to finalise the design and pilot some exciting new community activities. A dedicated team of volunteers and professionals is working hard to complete this crucial stage by the end of 2026. Success here should unlock a transformational £1.4 million grant.

Combined with church funds and fundraising efforts so far, we're now less than £200,000 away from the total we need. We're actively pursuing this through applications to grant-giving bodies, while inviting individuals and local companies to be part of this historic project.

How you can be part of this historic journey

There are so many ways you can help secure the future of our medieval treasure:

Make a donation – Every contribution, large or small, brings us closer to our goal. Your gift will help preserve 850 years of history for future generations. And if you’re fortunate enough to be in a position to make a substantial donation, please consider joining the Blockley 24 group of major donors – you can find more information here.

Volunteer your time – We have a vibrant team working on everything from fundraising events to community activities. Whether you can spare a few hours a month or want to get more involved, we'd love to hear from you.

Join our community activities – Be part of the pilot programmes and celebrations we're running. Experience firsthand the exciting ways we're bringing our church and its history to life, whilst helping us refine our plans for the future.

Spread the word – Share our story with friends, family and colleagues. Know a local business that might want to support us? We'd be grateful for an introduction.

The road ahead

If we maintain our current momentum, contractors will begin work in summer 2027, with full completion expected by Easter 2028. Yes, it's a bit of a journey – but this vital work will serve the many users of our building and participants in our activities for generations to come.

Ready to get involved or want to know more? Please contact a member of our project team who will be happy to talk things through with you.

Together, we can ensure our medieval treasure continues to inspire, welcome and serve our community for another 850 years.

The proposed floor plan - Click to open as a PDF