A CHURCH that was damaged by a rocket in the Second World War has been given a grant to transform it into a building for all the community.

St Peter in the Forest Church in Woodford New Road, Walthamstow, has been awarded £117,500 by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Victorian church will be transformed into a modern building housing galleries for community workshops and the bell tower will be opened for public viewing.

The aim of the five year project is to educate the community about the site’s rich history.

Father Paul Trathen, vicar of the parish said: “We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support.

“The church building will be transformed and will hopefully become the centre of life for the arts, education & heritage which this community deserves alongside its life as a vibrant parish church, full of worship.”

St Peter’s was first built in 1840 as a chapel-of-ease to St Mary’s in Walthamstow, and in 1844 became the church of the newly appointed parish.

In 1859 the patronage of the church was transferred to Edward Warner after he donated £1,000 towards the building of a vicarage.

In 1945 during the Second World War a V2 rocket landed near the church causing extensive damage to the whole north elevation.

The church was rebuilt in 1951 but a fire in 1973 caused further damage and more repair works ensued.

The Grade II listed building is on the ‘heritage at risk’ register, meaning it is in need of urgent restoration.