St Denys Church in Eaton village has received a further boost to its ongoing restoration project, Eaton InSpired, with a grant of £24,515 from the National Churches Trust.
The funding builds on earlier support and continuing hard work going on in the community, helping to move the church’s heritage programme closer to completion.
In May 2025, a substantial grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (read more here) enabled work to begin on restoring the church’s tower and spire, along with the south‑east corner of the South Aisle.
Ongoing fundraising efforts by the Parochial Church Council have continued to gather momentum, and the latest award will make a significant contribution towards completing the remaining work.
As part of the project, an accessible toilet and baby‑changing facility will also be installed, improving the church’s usability for the whole community.
St Denys Church, which stands at the heart of Eaton village in the Framland Deanery, dates back to the 12th century, with later additions from the 13th and 15th centuries.
The tower is particularly distinctive, being one of only a handful of churches in England with an ironstone spire. Over time, weathering has caused instability in three of the four tower pinnacles and more than 300 stones need to be replaced in the tower, making careful conservation essential.
Bell ringing had to be stopped in the church many months ago, for safety reasons, although worship services have continued.
Reverend Susan Bradley, Assistant Priest and project co‑lead, said: "Once the work is completed St Denys will be safe for many years to come: it should come off the Heritage at Risk register, be more user‑friendly and sustainable, and the bells can ring again."
She added: "The project has drawn the people of Eaton village together. Attendance at special seasonal services has increased, and the restoration work has inspired groups to pursue smaller projects related to swifts, bats, wildflowers, heritage and local history.
"It is a wonderful example of how the life of a small village church can impact its community and act as a focus for all sorts of exciting developments."
