Essential repairs funded by generous grant for Failsworth church

Wednesday 5th August 2026

Diocesan church St Mary of the Immaculate Conception has undergone urgent repairs and been given a new lease of life in recent years, thanks to a generous grant from the National Churches Trust.

The NCT is an independent charity that provides vital support to churches, chapels, and meeting houses across the UK through a range of services encompassing funding, advocacy, and training.

This £20,000 grant has enabled essential works to take place at St Mary’s, in particular the repair and restoration of the concrete sanctuary window surrounds. Prior to these works taking place, the deterioration to these areas meant that parts of the building were cordoned off due to the risk of falling concrete. The stained glass windows, which form a key part of the church’s Grade II listing status, were also endangered by the state of the stonework.

Today, the building remains a safe place to welcome parishioners and the wider Failsworth community. Parish Priest Canon Michael Job said: “The grant came at the most opportune time as parish funds were low but the works needed doing. It was like a Godsend! With the grants we were able to restore not only the beauty of the building but also, we repaired and stopped any further damage.”

In addition to the exterior fabric repairs, the grant from the NCT has funded an investigation into the decorative friezes to the north and south aisles of the Lady and Sacred Heart Chapels.

Reflecting on the rejuvenation of the church building as a result of this generous funding, Canon Michael said: “We, as a community, are very grateful to National Churches Trust for making this possible.”