The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) writes:<\/p>\n
Only a few minutes away from the bustle of Oxford Street is London’s\u00a0Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple, a sanctuary from the stresses of everyday urban\u00a0life.<\/p>\n
The well-established Taiwanese temple, which also runs the charity International Buddhist Progress Society UK, currently attracts 18,000 visitors per\u00a0year.<\/p>\n
London FGS Temple is a Grade II* listed building and active centre of Buddhist worship and teaching. However, building damage has placed the temple at risk and restoration is crucial to get it back in working order\u00a0again.\u00a0 Luckily, after a successful application to HLF, London FGS Temple became the first ever temple to receive HLF support under the Grants for Places of Worship\u00a0scheme. Development funding of \u00a333,500 has recently been awarded to help London FGS Temple progress plans to apply for the full earmarked funding of\u00a0\u00a3209,300.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0HLF grant\u00a0will support restoration work to the eastern roofs, replacing damaged bricks and rebuilding the high level masonry of the temple, originally designed by Gothic architect William Butterfield in\u00a01868.\u00a0 Alongside the restoration work, there will be a programme of community activities and events including archive research into the history of the building and\u00a0a photography exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fo Guang\u00a0Monastery.<\/p>\n
Applying the Fo Guang proverb of \u2018offer confidence, offer joy, offer hope, and offer convenience\u2019, the London\u00a0FGS Temple will also be hosting singing, dancing and\u00a0meditation classes and educational tours available to the\u00a0public.\u00a0 Venerable Miao Shiang, Head of London Fo Guang Shan Temple, said: \u2018It was fantastic news when we heard that our grant application had been approved by HLF. This news was received very well by everyone at the Temple. Our board of directors and trustees thank the HLF for the grant and are extremely grateful for the support. We look forward to working with HLF on this\u00a0project.\u2019<\/p>\n
Stuart Hobley, Head of HLF London, said: \u2018The Fo Guang Shan temple has been a part of London\u2019s community for over 24 years and provides a rich programme of events and activities for all to enjoy. The temple is currently in need of urgent repair work and thanks to National Lottery players, this crucial restoration project will now be able to preserve the heritage of the temple, keeping it up and running and accessible for\u00a0all.\u2019<\/p>\n
Read more….<\/a><\/p>\n Read more<\/a> about the Temple<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A Grade II* listed building is the first temple to receive Grants for Places of Worship (PoW) scheme, the Taiwanese Fo Guang Shan temple is just off Oxford Street in London and will be using development funding to work towards … Continue reading