Colchester’s Holy Trinity Church is set to enter a new chapter as a vibrant Community Hub, with St Helena Hospice taking the lead in its redevelopment.

Colchester City Council is delighted to announce that St Helena Hospice has been selected as the new partner for the Holy Trinity Church project. Following a successful tender process, St Helena Hospice will take responsibility for managing activities in this building and its future vision.

This exciting partnership marks a significant step in the revitalisation of one of Colchester’s most important heritage sites, which has already secured a development grant of £147,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside a £500,000 contribution from government grants. With plans for a £2.8 million transformation by 2026 well underway, St Helena Hospice will play a key role in ensuring Holy Trinity Church becomes a thriving community asset, blending heritage with modern use.

St Helena Hospice has presented an innovative vision for the building that honours its historical significance. The church will host a café open up to seven days a week, a small retail offering, and flexible meeting spaces for community groups. Set against Colchester’s rich history, St Helena Hospice plans to deliver a varied programme of activities, including pop-up charity shops crafts fairs, arts and craft sessions for all ages, events, and potentially even weddings. The church will also become a base for St Helena Hospice compassionate communities and bereavement support services, adding a vital social care element to the community-driven programme. 

Mark Jarman-Howe, Chief Executive at St Helena Hospice, said: “"We are delighted to have won the tender to restore Holy Trinity Church to its former glory. We see tremendous opportunities for community engagement and volunteering through the wide range of activities we have planned for the building. We look forward to developing Holy Trinity into a vibrant space that brings people together while preserving its heritage for future generations."

Expressing her excitement, Cllr Natalie Sommers, Portfolio Holder for Communities, said: “We received a range of creative proposals for the use of Holy Trinity Church, and all the applications reflected the city’s eagerness to see this historic building come back into public use. I am thrilled that St Helena Hospice will lead this project. They have a deep commitment to Colchester, and I can think of no better partner to ensure the continued success of this important venture. This partnership will also help secure the future of the 11th-century Saxon Tower – Colchester’s oldest standing building - removing it from the Heritage at Risk listing.”

The Holy Trinity Church project is part of a wider initiative to revitalise Colchester’s city centre, with over 15 regeneration projects planned for completion by 2030. These projects will improve public spaces, enhance local infrastructure, and repurpose heritage assets to create vibrant, accessible areas for both residents and visitors. The regeneration of Trinity Square – which surrounds Holy Trinity Church - is also underway, further enhancing the area.

For an overview of all 15 regeneration projects, please visit Colchester City Council’s interactive map at www.colchester.gov.uk/citycentre.