‘Jewel in the Strand’ project backed by £4.6m grant for St Mary Le Strand church

The central London church of St Mary Le Strand has received a £4.6 million grant toward the cost of urgent repair and conservation works.

(c) ianVisits

As part of the grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, both the 18th-century building and its gardens will be restored and redeveloped, alongside work to transform the Undercroft into a community space and improve accessibility throughout.

A research project will also uncover three centuries of stories about the people who worshipped in its pews and are buried in its crypt.

The funding supports the church’s Jewel in the Strand Project, which is restoring the church and opening the undercroft for the first time.

It will also include step-free access into the church for the first time.

The church is currently open to visit during the week – details here.

Ruth Duston OBE, OC, Chief Executive of London Heritage Quarter said: “St Mary le Strand is a much-loved landmark at the heart of the transformed Strand Aldwych, and we are delighted to see this wonderful funding awarded. This investment will not only help secure the church’s future but will also enrich the cultural life of the area for everyone who lives, works and visits here.”