St Julitta’s Historic Windows to be Restored Thanks to £124,230 National Lottery Grant

The Friends of Lanteglos Church have secured a £124,230 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to save the ancient windows of St Julitta’s Church in Lanteglos by Camelford. This vital funding will restore fragile stained glass, some over 500 years old, and preserve an important connection to Archbishop John Morton, a significant figure from the 15th century.

A Window Into History

The stained glass of St Julitta’s Church holds an exceptional link to the past, featuring the Morton Coat of Arms. This ties the church to Cardinal John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury, who played a pivotal role during the War of the Roses and faced imprisonment in the Tower of London. Two rectors of St Julitta’s in the 15th century were relatives of Morton, making this connection an exciting heritage discovery for Cornwall.

Dr John Pearce, project manager for The Friends of Lanteglos Church, emphasised the importance of the funding, saying: “We are most grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support of this important project and for the funds raised by National Lottery players who have made this possible. We are also very grateful for all the other grants, donations and fundraising that means this important local heritage is not lost forever.”

A Community-Focused Restoration

The funding will not only support the restoration of the windows but also engage the local community through open days, lectures, workshops, and research opportunities. Events will involve schoolchildren and community groups to foster a lasting appreciation for this heritage.

Additionally, a book documenting the stained glass’s connection to John Morton will be created, alongside a touch screen display for visitors to explore the church’s history.

The project team is collaborating with experts, including Jude Goss from a local stained glass studio, and Holy Well Glass, a leading medieval glass contractor. These specialists will ensure the preservation of the windows for future generations.

Photo: On the right is the 500n year old crumbling stone mullions and tracery that put the stained glass panels at risk and below photos of the St Julitta’s church

Progress and Future Plans

While contractors won’t begin on-site work until March 2025, updates about the restoration and community events can be found on the Friends of Lanteglos Church website and their Facebook group.

This initiative is part of The Friends of Lanteglos Church’s broader mission to restore and maintain St Julitta’s Church, ensuring it remains a vital part of Cornwall’s heritage. Formed as a charity in 2017, the group has been instrumental in safeguarding the church from closure.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the UK’s largest dedicated heritage funder. Its ten-year strategic plan, Heritage 2033, aims to invest £3.6 billion into preserving and transforming heritage for future generations, funded by National Lottery players.

For more on this exciting project, visit lanteglosbycamelfordchurch.com

Photo: On the left is the coat of arms of  Cardinal John Morton, Lord Chancellor of England and Archbishop of Canterbury in the late 15th century. John Morton
probably funded the expansion of Lanteglos Church and the high quality stained glass