St. George’s Garrison Church in Woolwich, London, will be given a new lease of life and will have a bigger role in the community following confirmation of funding for a much needed restoration and conservation project.

John Sisk & Son, a contractor which has been working on projects in the local area, has contributed to the overall total needed for the work, which will be overseen by the Heritage of London Trust Operations.

The church, built between 1863 and 1867 with a fine mosaic interior, was hit by a V1 flying bomb during World War II and only the shell remains. It is currently used by personnel from the neighbouring Royal Artillery Barracks for open air services.

Diana Beattie, Director of the Heritage of London Trust, commented: “We are very excited that work on the church has finally been given the go-ahead and we are so grateful to companies like John Sisk & Son for helping us fund the project. While our short term aim is to restore the original church and the beautiful mosaics, we are also developing a programme of educational activities and open days for the local communities and school groups which we hope will ensure the long term preservation of the church and its history.”

Restoration work will include a new roof structure and the repairing of the mosaics by twenty students and newly appointed mural conservators, while the conversion of two rooms will provide new catering facilities and toilets to make the church accessible to the public.

Owen Sisk, Director at John Sisk & Son, commented: “As a family owned and run company we are happy to be able to contribute to a project like this. We have recently worked on a number of local regeneration projects in east London and it is great to have the opportunity to also contribute to the preservation of the area’s heritage. We are delighted that our donation will go directly towards the construction of new facilities, allowing the local community to make full use of this historic church.”

Work on the church will start in January 2012, with the main reconstruction work scheduled to be completed by June. Restoration of the mosaics will be completed over two years.