Restoration Projects
The Church is an important focal point for the local community. Maintaining its fabric to allow for regular use and preserving its important heritage has been a priority. Eastnor has been lucky to receive generous support from local and national charities, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, for which it is very grateful.
Other charities that contributed to the funding were the Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust, The Rowlands Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Laslett’s Charities, The Harley Charity, the Wolfson Foundation and the Hornby Lonsdale Charitable Trust.
Recent Projects
Eastnor has recently raised close to £300,000 to fund essential repair, as well as to improve the church’s facilities to allow for wider use.
The first phase of the project was focused on repairs to the 13th / 14th century tower. Unlike the rest of the church, the tower did not benefit from refurbishment by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the mid-19th century and extensive repairs were urgently required. These were carried out sympathetically by local craftsmen. As part of the Tower Restoration project the peal of bells, which date from the late 17th Century, were retuned and rehung with new fittings (headstocks, wheels and clappers) and a new tenor bell was cast.
The second phase of the project included installation of a WC, a servery, an upgrade of the church’s heating system to improve efficiency and the installation of a PA system and wi-fi. Draft-excluding glass doors were also fitted to the South Porch.
We also catalogued and photographed the important architectural and monumental features of the church. This heritage material is available in printed and digital formats and can be accessed via the link in the History section of the website. An introductory video will be made on the history of the church, including a record of the restoration works and virtual tour of the tower.
Planned Projects
The Church has a beautiful array of 19th Century stained glass windows by Charles Eamer Kempe, Kempe & Co., William Wailes and Wilmshurst & Oliphant.
A recent conservation survey has identified that the windows require repair and restoration. The PCC will be embarking on a project to raise the necessary funding for these works during 2026 and 2027. Details of how to support this project will be posted on the website in due course.
