TWO historic Huddersfield churches will be visited by a key restoration chief tomorrow.
English Heritage chairman Baroness Andrews OBE will be dropping in on St John’s Church, Birkby, and Christ Church Woodhouse, Sheepridge.
The visit comes as both sites undergo vital restoration work, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Bishop of Wakefield, the Rt Rev Stephen Platten, will be showing her around the area.
He said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome Baroness Andrews to the diocese.
“West Yorkshire has some architectural gems which are being preserved and developed for future generations with the assistance of English Heritage.
“It is marvellous that Baroness Andrews can see first-hand the good work that is being undertaken in the region.”
The Baroness will see how the future of the Grade II-listed St John’s is being secured for the future.
The building, at St John’s Road, was left with a massive repair bill in 2008 when thieves tried to rip the copper lightning conductors off the roof, causing the steeple to come crashing down on to the church.
In 2011, it also became evident the east window would be lost if work was not urgently carried out.
Restoration work is now under way to return the window to its former glory.
At Christ Church, a clock dating back to 1892 is being restored.
The Grade II-listed building has also received a grant to upgrade the vestry as part of plans to transform it into a child-friendly community room.
The Baroness will be addressing business, public sector and charity leaders in Halifax before travelling to Huddersfield for her visit.
