A major restoration project was being planned to replace the roof of the chancel, north and south aisles, and south porch in terne-coated steel, when the parish approached the Trust in June 2025. At that time the Trust awarded St Andrew’s a grant of £10,000 to support this scheme.
Therefore, we are delighted to share with you the news that St Andrew’s Church, Little Massingham, has been awarded a major grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support this ambitious project to preserve and revitalise the historic church for future generations.
The funding will enable urgent repairs to the church roof, replacing the failing temporary covering with a permanent terne-coated stainless steel roof, helping protect the Grade I listed building from further water damage. The church has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register since the theft of its lead roof in 2017.
Alongside the essential conservation work, the project will also explore future improvements to make the church more sustainable and welcoming, including a feasibility study for accessible toilet and kitchenette facilities and trial repairs to other areas of the church using traditional materials and techniques.
The wider project celebrates the church’s place at the heart of village life and the surrounding Norfolk landscape. Plans include new digital interpretation within the church, nature interpretation boards, and heritage walking routes linked to the Peddars Way and Massingham Heath, helping visitors engage with the area’s rich history, wildlife, and rural heritage.
Revd Joshua Whitnall, Rector of Little Massingham said: “This is wonderful news for Little Massingham and for everyone who cares about the future of St Andrew’s Church. This funding allows us not only to protect a beautiful and historic building, but to reimagine how it can continue serving the community for generations to come as a place of worship, heritage, learning, and welcome. I must express my huge thanks to those who have worked so hard to make this grant a reality”
Thank you to Little Massingham for keeping us updated with their progress and we wish them well with their project.
