Funding Needed to Maintain Historic Church in York

One of the most historic churches in North Yorkshire may be forced to close because of a lack of funding to repair its crumbling bell tower, the British Broadcasting Channel’s Radio York reported, Feb. 15.

While the English Heritage has offered to pay three-fourths of the £100,000 needed to repair the tower at St Andrew’s in Rillington, the church’s congregation will have to come up with the rest. Currently, the tower is in a dangerous condition with fears that chunks of the masonry could fall to the ground.

The warden to St. Andrews, Ann Hansen, said it would be a shame to see the historic church close. The church, built in the 19th century, has been the site of worship, christenings, weddings and burials.

"There's a lot of them who hope in the future that they'll still be able to use the church for these things," said Hansen.