The 149-year-old Grade 2 listed church, the Church of the Ascension in the Lower Broughton area of Salford had undergone a £250,000 renovation before it was burnt down in the arson attack in February 2017.
A two-year restoration project has been officially launched for the building which is a rare remaining example of work by Manchester architect James Medland Taylor.
The start of works was blessed by Canon David Wyatt, accompanied by the Archdeacon of Salford, Ven David Sharples; the Bishop of Manchester, Rt Revd David Walker; the Bishop of Bolton, Rt Revd Mark Ashcroft and scores of members of the local community and schools.
The work will be carried out by Seddon Construction and will be a challenging rebuild after the roof collapsed in the blaze last year.
Phase 1 will cost £2.46m to rebuild the building fabric including structural replacements, re-roofing and specialist stonemasonry and glazing.
Phase 2 will cost £2.5m for the internal fit out.
Various events are planned to involve the community in the rebuild, including resident engagement workshops, site visits for schoolchildren and Salford architect students as well as masonry lessons.
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