Fifteen churches across the Diocese of London are to receive a share of the Government's £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. 

They are among 445 heritage organisations to benefit and will receive a total of just over £2m, with grants awarded to the likes of St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square and St James' Piccadilly.

The money will enable them to help retain jobs, maintain sustainability in the midst of the pandemic and preserve their heritage. 

The Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, said: "The Government's generosity will save jobs and enable a number of our historic churches across the capital to continue to preserve their heritage for the benefit of all, as they continue to adapt to the huge challenges that the pandemic has created."

Bishop Sarah continued: "St Magnus is a shining example of London's living history. Rebuilt as the capital recovered after the Great Fire, it was there for the local community in the wake of the Fishmongers' Hall terror attack on London Bridge, just last year. So many of our churches across the capital were there for Londoners of the past, they are serving their communities during the pandemic, and these grants will help ensure they are there for future generations too."

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounce back post covid."

The London churches receiving grants are: St Martin-in-the-Fields, St James's Piccadilly, Christ Church with All Saints Spitalfields, St Magnus the Martyr, St Mary-at-Hill Church, St Marylebone with Holy Trinity St Marylebone, St Paul and St Mark, Old Ford, St Pancras Church, St Vedast, St Paul's Hammersmith, St Pancras Old Church, St Paul's Bow Common, St Peter's, Ealing, St Botolph-Without-Aldgate and St Clement Danes. 

St Magnus-the-Martyr, located near London Bridge, will be using its grant towards Covid-proofing measures, as well as its Living History project and the digitisation of its heritage.