“The tower has been cordoned off due to loose masonry. The church suffers extensively from damp…Assessment: Priority A - Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric; no solution agreed.”

Historic England, Buildings at Risk Register

In March 2025, St Andrew’s Church in Soham was awarded initial support totalling £315,000 (£270,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £45,000 from Historic England) to progress plans to restore the building and involve young people in learning heritage skills.

This ‘development’ funding will help us to plan the major project, including conducting specialist surveys and piloting activities with local community groups. This work will help us apply for a full grant from the Heritage Fund of £2.8million at a later date. If successful, the project aims to begin major repairs in 2027.

St Andrew’s Church dates from the 12th century and in the flat fen landscape its huge tower is visible for miles around. Olaudah Equiano, a freed slave whose autobiography was crucial to the abolitionist movement, married in the Grade I listed church in 1792.

The church has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register since 2018 due to the poor condition of the church’s roof and the danger of falling masonry. With the church suffering extensively from damp, major repairs are needed to prevent further deterioration and make the church an inviting community hub.

Plans currently being developed for the restoration involve repairing leaking lead roofs and replacing rotten timber, as well as essential stonework repairs to the tower. New heating and lighting systems will reduce the church’s carbon footprint and running costs.

We will continue developing our partnership with Soham Village College to inspire careers in vital heritage skills like stonemasonry, carpentry, leadwork and blacksmithing. This ambition builds on previous successes of projects supported by the Heritage Fund, where heritage building skills workshops at the church resulted in two students actively pursuing careers in flintknapping and heritage carpentry.

The Revd Eleanor Whalley, Vicar of Soham said: “This is such good news! Both The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England told us they’d been impressed by St Andrew's Church's existing partnerships with Soham’s schools, local businesses and professionals working within the heritage buildings sector, and by the activities we host during Black History Month.”

“Soham is a fantastic place in which to live and work, and we hope this project will build on these links. Thanks to National Lottery players and to so many others from across our community for making this exciting project possible.”

Liz Bates, the incoming Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We are pleased to support St Andrew’s Church with this grant of £270,000. Through our Heritage in Need: Places of Worship Strategic Initiative we are committed to supporting places of worship to build skills, partnerships and community involvement to care for their heritage.”

Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director, Historic England, said: “We’re pleased to be working in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the local community to support St Andrew’s Church in Soham. This collaborative approach is hugely important for giving new life to our precious heritage. Together, we’re not only investing in the church’s restoration but creating opportunities for young people to develop vital skills, inspiring the next generation of craftspeople and strengthening community bonds. I look forward to seeing this important Grade I listed building thriving once again at the heart of its community.”

In the meantime…

Whilst plans for this major restoration project progress, we would warmly welcome donations big and small towards ongoing building repair and maintenance costs via our Just Giving page.

To make a Bank Transfer (BACS):

Account name: Soham PCC Development Fund

Sort code: 20-29-68,

Account no. 60786128

To give by cheque:

Payable to Soham PCC Development Fund

Sent c/o The New Vicarage, 27 The Oaks, Soham, CB7 5FF