Gorton Monastery has been awarded a “transformational” £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
It will enable more conservation work to take place on the Grade II* Gothic building and the installation of an energy-efficient heating system to replace its old boiler.
The money comes ahead of the Monastery Trust’s year-long 30th anniversary events that start in September, with the group’s co-founder and CEO Elaine Griffiths saying: “This investment secures the future of the Monastery and its extraordinary community legacy.
“It’s a chance to celebrate how far the Trust has come…and to step boldly into a new chapter of heritage, wellbeing and creativity in the heart of Gorton.”
The monastery – officially called the Church and Friary of St Francis – reopened in 2007 after years of neglect and vandalism following the friars moving out of the Gorton Lane site in 1989.
The Monastery Trust helped to highlight the church’s plight after its formation in 1995, leading to it being placed on the World Monuments Fund’s watchlist of 100 most endangered sites and ultimately a £6 million grant to restore it to its former glory.
“[I]t helps secure the future of our beloved landmark for generations to come,” said a statement from the group.
“The funding will support a year-long celebration of everything we’ve achieved together since 1995.
“Our anniversary events begin this September and will honour the people, stories and community that brought the Monastery back to life.
“Importantly, the grant means we can also carry out crucial conservation work and take big steps towards a greener future.
“Our old boiler system will be replaced with energy-efficient heating, helping us protect this beautiful building and care for it well into the future.”
