Ancient Door Reinstated At St Di’s Church

An ancient door has been reinstated at St Dionysius Church in Market Harborough as part of a heritage conservation project. 

The Priest’s door has been restored to its former glory along with surrounding stonework.

The project will also improve the building’s safety through providing an additional fire exit and boost accessibility.

The Priest’s door has been restored to its former glory along with surrounding stonework

Harborough District Council awarded £40,000 from its UK Shared Prosperity Funding towards the project.

Rev Phil Bryson said: “We, at St Dionysius Church, are hugely grateful for the generosity of Harborough District Council, as well as the generosity and time of the Friends of St Dionysius, which has enabled the re-introduction of the priest’s door.

“This door is a reminder of the historical door that once stood in its place, and it enhances the aesthetics of the vibrant Cultural Quarter.

“It will provide an important fire exit, helping us to keep worshippers and the local community safe when using our beautiful church – the town’s oldest functioning building.”

The work has also improved the building’s connection with Church Square, and the wider Cultural Quarter.

Cat Hartley, Director of Communities and Wellbeing, said: “The church is of great architectural and historical significance to Market Harborough, so we are pleased to be able to support this community project to reinstate the priest’s door and remedy stonework.

“We recognise a lot of people use the church so allocating funding to improve the building’s safety and accessibility is necessary and important.”