URGENT repairs are finally being carried out at an historic Stourbridge church which has successfully secured £149,100 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Vital work to repair the deteriorating and dangerous exterior stonework at St Thomas’ Church in Market Street is now going ahead along with work to improve accessibility and entice more visitors in and promote the history of architecture of the Georgian Grade I listed building.

As part of the project a permanent access ramp to the South Porch will be created and an accessible toilet built in the North Porch. A partly glazed inner door in the South Porch will also give a more friendly entry to the church which was built between 1728 and 1736 by public subscription to serve the people of Stourbridge.

The grant will also provide funding to train tour guides, organise tours of the church and talks on the history of the building and create display information boards.

Rev Andrew Sillis, Priest-in-Charge, said: “Everyone at St Thomas’ Church is delighted with the wonderful news that the Heritage Lottery Fund are supporting our church project.

"Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re now able to restore worn out parts of our historic building to their original condition and improve access for the whole community.

"St Thomas’ Church is a real gem at the heart of our great town and we want the whole community to be able to visit, use, and enjoy it. This grant makes that possible.”

The work has already got underway and will enable the heritage of the church to be accessible to all.

As well as regular worship, weddings, baptisms and funerals - the church, which boasts an apsidal ended chancel and a fine barrel-vaulted ceiling incorporating a Holy Ghost plaque, is already used for organ recitals, flower and Christmas tree festivals but improved accessibility will enable it to be used for even more community events.

The church is now open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 5pm (shorter hours on Saturday unless there is an event on). Its picturesque front garden is open to the whole community and often hosts outside events.