Islington Tribune - by EMMANUELLA FRANCIS Published: 16 January 2009
Cllr James Kempton, centre, with St Mary’s vicar Canon Dr Graham Kings and Grace Sheppard, widow of Bishop David Sheppard
Going up: Church lifted by £860,000 revamp of crypt
A 250-year-old crypt at an Islington church has been given a new lease of life thanks to a £860,000 regeneration project.
The work was partly funded by Islington Council, which donated £200,000 towards the cost of a new lift at St Mary’s Church, in Upper Street.
The second phase of the work also provided a new David Sheppard Chapel, disabled toilet and staircase.
Lib Dem council leader Councillor James Kempton said: “The council has been able to massively increase the space available to provide even more facilities by making the basement more accessible.”
Under the next phase of the work, the crypt will get a new kitchen, toilets and community room. The project received funding from the Big Lottery, Bridge House Trust, Cripplegate Foundation and through the church’s own fundraising.