Cornerstone Construction Fellowship

St John the Baptist Church in Nash, Shropshire, is set to undergo major restoration after securing a £500,000 grant to rebuild its tower, steeple and part of the nave roof.

The funding has been awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to the Friends of Nash and Boraston Churches, a group established to support repairs and conservation at St John the Baptist Church and nearby Boraston Church. Both buildings are medieval churches listed on the heritage at risk register.

The award represents the outcome of around ten years of sustained effort focused on safeguarding the future of the two churches. The funding will support essential structural works alongside a range of community focused projects.

When the current church warden began in 2015, parts of St John the Baptist Church were in a serious state of disrepair. The north aisle had been closed off for safety reasons due to extensive rot in the floor structure, with sections cordoned off and clear hazards present.

The Friends of Nash and Boraston Churches group was formed soon after to raise funds and coordinate repair efforts. Securing the Heritage Fund grant required progression through a three stage application process.

As a heritage funded project, the programme will also deliver wider benefits. Plans include reusing salvaged timber and stone from the tower and spire, restoring a historic Jacobean table and creating bird and bat boxes.

Additional grant applications are planned to support improvements to facilities such as the kitchen and toilets. The project aims to encourage greater public engagement with the church building and its history, reflecting a role that extends beyond worship alone.