Church reopens after major £4m restoration project

A church in Nottinghamshire which closed for urgent repairs will be removed from the "at risk" register following a £4m restoration.

Grade I-listed St Mary Magdalene in Newark required major improvements, including repairs to a leaking roof, and after a multi-million pound renovation project, Historic England has now deemed the site saved.

Since closing in November 2024, the church has had masonry repairs, a new roof, and a new space for community activities.

After financial setbacks, including a £600,000 tax blow, many donors and volunteers who were involved in the restoration gathered at the church for the reopening on Sunday.

Parts of the building in Church Walk date back to the 12th Century and its 236ft (72m) spire is believed to be the fifth highest in England.

As well as being a place of worship, the church functions as a community space, hosting toddler groups, youth hangouts, a community cafe, library group, flower festivals and concerts.

Reverend Danny Marshall, parish priest at the church, said: "This church is such a pivotal thing in the life of this town, so being able to reopen will create those opportunities for people to pray and to be involved with our community groups."

Jane Holt, from Historic England, said: "We are able to take the church off the at risk register this year, which was one of the aims for this project.

"I can't tell you how good it feels to come in here and not see buckets catching the water from the roof."

Andrew Fearn, church warden and lead for the Reawakening project, said there had been "hurdles" along the way.

"We've had some setbacks and some days we didn't know whether to laugh or cry," he added.

"We've got there in the end and it's been a great day today."

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