A CHURCH at the heart of Holmfirth has been given £186,000 – to help fund its first major work in more than 240 years.

The grant means the leaking roof at Holy Trinity Church will be fixed.

The vicar, the Rev Keith Griffin said it was the first major essential works on the Georgian chapel since the floods of 1777 when the River Holme burst its banks.

The chapel, which has its origins in the mid 15th Century, was re-built the following year. But more than 200 years later water problems have returned.

The leaking roof will be fixed thanks to funding from Heritage Lottery Fund in consultation with English Heritage.

It comes from a pot of £1.44 million being given to Grade Two Yorkshire churches.

Holy Innocents in Dewsbury is getting £179,000 and Christ Church in Liversedge is getting £168,000.

Mr Griffin said: “The church is in a poor state of repair, there are quite severe problems with flaking masonry and there has been some water leaking through the roof.

“The masonry is in need of improvements and it is the first time it has really been tackled.

“It’s almost as if we are re-wrapping the outside of the church and fixing it.”

The work is being funded by £186,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £25,000 from church funds and £15,000 from other sources.

Mr Griffin added: “It is essential we get it done.

“From now until the end of March 2010 an investigation will be carried out with English Heritage and hopefully the work will start in the spring of 2010.

Kath Gibson, English Heritage Historic Building Adviser, said: “We really want to support sustainable long term uses for churches.

“It is important for this church and for us to focus on ways to support the church in finding ways of using the building for other uses in the future.

“In terms of tourism we want to get a lot of people travelling into Holmfirth, the interest here is Last of the Summer Wine and the church is right next to Sid’s Cafe.

“So it is important to make the most of this church and show off our buildings.”

Fiona Spiers, head of Heritage Lottery Fund in Yorkshire, added: “We are very committed to supporting all places of worship and it is important to the communities and lottery players to see them brought back to life.

“These wonderful buildings are often central to community life and play an important role in people’s everyday lives, but maintaining them is always a challenge.

“This substantial investment will help fund the vital repairs necessary to secure their long-term future.”

Once the repair works on the exterior of the building are complete church leaders will look at the interior to see how they can improve it.

One room is currently used as a youth room with a pool table and computers.

The 1777 flood happened hours after a terrible thunderstorm

The River Holme burst its banks and swept through the town centre, killing three people

The Holy Trinity Church, built in 1476, was damaged beyond repair

It was one of five serious floods – the others were in 1738, 1821, 1852 and 1944