A CHURCH which may date back to the signing of the Magna Carta has received a grant by a historic churches trust.

When the Holy Trinity Church in Warmwell was inspected in 2012, it was recommended that its nave roof be repaired within two years.

The church has since worked hard to come up with the cash to carry out the essential works.

Holy Trinity itself raised £20,000 alongside grants from the Erskine Muton Trust, Viridor Environmental Credits and a £50,000 from the Listed Places of Worship Roof Fund.

Now, on top of all this, it has received a £10,000 award from Dorset Historic Churches Trust (DHCT) to see its extensive restoration dreams realised.

The fundraising and project management were co-ordinated by Gerry Gerrard, the church treasurer, assisted by churchwardens Harry Ross-Skinner and his son Sam.

Rev Dominic Doble, the rector of Watercome Benefice, under which Warmwell falls, said: “The roof was not weather-proof and there was concern about the safety of the structure.

“We decided the best thing to do was to put back as near as possible what had been there before.

“It’s back to how it would have been when it was new and we are really pleased with the results.”

The nave dates back to the early English period, an era stretching from 1200-1300 CE, with extensions added in the 17th and 19th centuries.

Its roof is unique in Dorset, using scarce Purbeck stone tiles.

The conservation work on the Grade 2 listed building saw builders, A.E. Griffin and Son, searching out these tiles and performing repairs to the roof timbers.

To celebrate the restoration of the roof, the parish held a blessing and thanksgiving service last month attended by many local worshippers.

Mrs Philippa Francis, Deanery Representative for DHCT, said: “The trust was delighted to award this grant to Warmwell Church so that the essential conservation work could be completed. We were pleased to assist in restoring such an important building, not only for the church itself, but for Dorset.”