A much-loved 200 year old church in one of the remotest parts of the Yorkshire Dales has been given a grant of £10,000 for urgent work to ensure it can continue to thrive for the future.

St Mary’s Church in Arkengarthdale is sharing in a £351,500 urgent funding pay-out from the National Churches Trust. Broadcaster Huw Edwards, Vice president of the Trust said he was delighted that such a stunning church should be receiving money through the organisation.

The contribution will help pay for the installation of a servery, an extension with accessible toilets, an accessibility ramp, and open up flexible space at the back of the church.

It’s one of 21 churches across the UK which have been given grants as part of the Trusts work this year to help churches stay open and in good repair.

Mr Edwards said: "I’m delighted that St Mary’s, Arkengarthdale, a stunning church set in an amazing landcape, is receiving funding for modern community facilities. Building a servery and the other improvements will safeguard unique local heritage and keep the building open and in use for the benefit of local people.

“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or as a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today, and tomorrow.”

Arkengarthdale is the most northerly of the Dales in Yorkshire. St Mary's was built in 1820 in the Gothic Revival style. The Trust say it is an exquisite example of an urban-style church built in a rural area. It is noteworthy for its extensive flat ceiling and good acoustics.

A spokesperson for the church said: “We are very grateful for this grant from the National Churches Trust as it fulfils our fund-raising target, allows us to complete our project at the church and create a wonderful multi-functional space which we hope will enable St Mary’s to continue to play a significant role in local community life for many years to come.”

The Trust said in 2023 grants continue to be available to churches of any Christian denomination that are open for regular worship to fund urgent repairs, maintenance, installing loos or kitchens and feasibility studies to develop projects. For details: nationalchurchestrust.org/grants