Home of Shakespeare's grave in Stratford may have to close

Jan 5 2009 by Emma Rowley, Birmingham Post

Britain’s most visited parish church, home to Shakespeare’s grave, could be forced to close for health and safety reasons.

Holy Trinity Church, in Stratford-upon-Avon, needs £2.5 million to carry out repairs and restorations.

Its next project, costing £400,000, is to fix its crumbling clerestory windows, which date back to the 1490s.

If the work on the stone holding the window glass in place above the congregation is not carried out, the church could have to shut its doors to its 250,000 visitors a year.

Reverend Martin Gorick, the church’s vicar, said: “If we don’t attend to the windows, we are probably only five years off from having to close the church, from a safety point of view.

“We are determined that won’t be the case.”

Building began on the church in 1210 and it has great historical significance, as William Shakespeare was baptised there, served as its lay rector, and is buried in the chancel.

The church’s exterior has changed little since the playwright’s time but its soft limestone has eroded dramatically in places.

“The stone has really worn away and needs quite major repair,” said Mr Gorick, describing the windows.

“It’s just had 500 years of weathering so eventually it just turns to powder. I’ve had