Churches in Lancashire are among 4,900 religious buildings across the UK who will receive a share of up to £42m ahead of Christmas .

Some of the biggest beneficiaries include the St Mary and John (Pleasington Priory) which will receive £26,500 and St James' Parish Church in Haslingden will be handed £6,896.

Other buildings were given a few hundred pounds from the grant scheme.

St Mary and John (Pleasington Priory is one of only two Grade-I listed buildings in the borough of Blackburn and celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2019. 

The church of St Mary and St John the Baptist - to give it its full title - was opened on August 24, 1819.

A total of seven places of worship in Blackburn, seven in Burnley, five in Hyndburn, four in the Ribble Valley and four in Rossendale are included on the list. 

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “As churches across the country fill up for Nativity plays and Christmas services, it’s a reminder of the huge role that they and other places of worship play in the lives of their community.

“The Listed Places of Worship Scheme supports these precious buildings, which are cherished by people of all faiths and none.

“With nearly 5,000 supported over the past year alone, I’m glad to see the difference it has made to visitors, worshippers, and the people who look after them for the benefit of future generations.”

Since 2010, the Places of Worship Fund has invested £346 million in listed churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. 

The fund provides grants towards the VAT incurred on eligible costs, such as works to the roofs, masonry and monuments integral to the buildings.  

Lancashire Telegraph: The St James' Parish Church in Haslingden (Facebook)

Blackburn

  • The Cathedral Church of Saint Mary the Virgin - £3,560.91
  • Holy Trinity Blackburn - £213.50
  • St Silas Church, Blackburn £1,193.97
  • Ss Mary and John (Pleasington Priory) £26,500.36
  • St Leonards Balderstone Church £1,568.30
  • Our Lady & St Huberts RC Church - £1,765.15
  • Langho Chapel St Leonard - £214.80

Burnley

  • Burnley Parish Church of Saint Peter £1,651.95
  • St Stephens Church £525.00
  • St Leonard's Parish Trust £830.07
  • Wheatley Lane Methodist Church £277.00
  • St Anne's Church £852.66
  • St John the Evangelist, Burnley £339.00
  • St Mary's Church Newchurch-in-Pendle £1,721.58

Rossendale

  • St Thomas Musbury - £3,162.50
  • St James' Parish Church Haslingden - £6,896.19
  • Church of St Mary and All Saints - £6,047.30

Accrington

  • Parish Church of St. Peter £350
  • St Andrews Church - £702.80
  • All Saints Church of England (Church of All saints) - £1,937.94
  • St James Parish Church - £167
  • St John the Evangelist - £230

Clitheroe

  • Church of St Michael and St John - £502.14
  • Christ Church, Chatburn - £4,250
  • St Peter & St Paul Church - £1,869.06
  • St. Ambrose Church - £1,740

Ramsbottom

  • Edenfield Parish Church £2,201