Hertfordshire church saved from Historic England Risk Register
A fire in 2018 damaged the roof and bell tower
A cherished church in Royston has been saved from Historic England’s latest Heritage 'at Risk' Register, after years of repairs.
The Church of St John the Baptist, which was badly damaged by fire, is now back open and serving the local community.
The Grade I listed parish church of Royston was originally part of a 12th century Augustinian priory dedicated to St John the Baptist and St Thomas of Canterbury. It was dedicated to St John the Baptist when a new parish of Royston was created in 1540.
In December 2018, a devastating fire damaged the bell tower and the roof. The community responded with immediate support, offering help, spaces for church services, and donations. Major repairs were needed to the tower and roof, the galleries and the west end arch, which had to be rebuilt. The church bells were cracked and had to be recast. There was damage to the organ and the Victorian pews. During repairs, in February 2022, the tower parapet suffered storm damage and had to be rebuilt.
Along with the restoration of the church, improvements were made to create a flexible and welcoming space for the Royston community. Now re-opened for worship, the church holds many activities for local residents, including sessions for lonely local people and young families.
Over the past year, 21 historic buildings and sites in the East of England have been added to the Register because they are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, Co-CEOs of Historic England, said: “The heritage we see all around us impacts how we feel about our local places. The annual Heritage at Risk Register gives us the opportunity to celebrate the many benefits of bringing our historic buildings back into use.
“The best way to protect our buildings is to reuse them, turning them into places of local connection and joy. The sites that have been saved and have come off the Register this year really highlight the benefits of working together in partnership, and with communities, to create positive, sustainable change. Together we can safeguard our heritage for future generations.”