A CHURCH community is celebrating after receiving a big funding boost for their project to restore their historic Victorian landmark.

The Parish Church of St Mary has announced that the Heritage Lottery Fund has pledged initial support for the restoration of their Grade-II* Anglican church in Upper Rock Gardens, Brighton.

The church has received £17,000 to investigate problems in the building’s fabric and help to develop their application for a full grant of £228,700 which is earmarked to restore the building’s west-facing elevation next year.

Father Andrew Woodward said the grant will also lay the ground for several heritage activities next year with a public art project on the scaffolding hoarding that will scale the church building which dates from 1878.

The church also plans a community-led exhibition about people’s memories of the streets and buildings, many of which were demolished in the 1960s and 70s.

Fr Woodward said: “I’m very happy that the Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed that St Mary’s is worthy of restoration.

“Ten years ago we were threatened with closure.

“Now we have a bright future and every day we’re finding new ways of sharing our beautiful space with the wider community.”

The church’s inspecting architect, John Bailey of Thomas Ford and Partners, said: “It’s a great privilege to work with St Mary’s, which architecturally is one of Brighton’s fine historic churches.

“The HLF grant will enable us to embark on the preservation of this nationally significant building and ensure that it remains the beating heart of this vibrant part of Brighton.”