An historic chapel has received a lottery grant that will allow it to undertake urgent repairs to its roof.
The Octagon Chapel in Colegate, Norwich, will work with pupils at the nearby Jane Austen College on the project.
The funds awarded initially will support an investigation into the condition of the roof, before more money is released to carry out repairs.
A total of £162,000 has been earmarked for the project, from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The seeds of the project date back to late 2014, when it was discovered that water was leaking through the roof of the 260-year-old chapel into the building below.
Many timbers inside the roof space will need to be replaced, as will tiles.
Iris Voegeli, chairwoman of the Octagon Chapel, said: 'This is a wonderful thing that will allow this beautiful old building to be kept in good repair, especially as we now have such a lot more going on with the community.'
The grant will also be used to further integrate the chapel with the community surrounding it – a fact the HLF commented on when agreeing the money, calling the application 'a very ambitious programme involving the community'.
The partnership with students and teachers at the Jane Austen College, which is based in the former Howlett and White building on Colegate, will see them research, develop and produce an online and physical exhibition about the chapel, its history and heritage.
The aim of the project is to encourage more visitors to the building, and generate more public interest.
The Octagon will also be developing a project with the Gildencraft Stone Masonry CIC, in St Clement's Church, Colegate, to repair stonework at the chapel.
Robyn Llewellyn, head of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, said: 'Places of worship have been at the heart of our communities for hundreds of years.
'We are delighted that the Octagon Chapel has been awarded a grant to address the urgent repairs needed to its structure.
'This beautiful old building is significant both architecturally and to its community, and this project will enable it to encourage more visitors, as well as to continue as a space for worship.'
Do you have a heritage story? Email dan.grimmer@archant.co.uk
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