Seven places of worship in London have been given grants totalling just over £1 million for restoration work.

The money from English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund will help pay for roof repairs at Sandys Row Synagoguein Tower Hamlets. It will also help protect paintings at the St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Haringey.

Paddy Pugh, of English Heritage, said the grants would enable the buildings to remain a key part of the community.

Jack Gilbert, board member of the Sandys Row Synagogue, said: “Without the grant, the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue in London, and one of the oldest synagogue buildings in Britain, would be in danger of collapse. Now the Huguenot roof and walls can look forward to their 250th anniversary in 2013 and beyond.”

Jon Boulter, architect from St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, said: “We have beautiful wall paintings on every wall inside the church and they are at a substantial risk of damage from the water leaking in from our roofs. It would be such a shame to lose these amazing pictures forever. Without the grant the congregation would have had little hope of saving them.”

Mr Pugh, English Heritage's London region director, said: “The grants enable the buildings to remain in active use at the heart of our communities. We are especially pleased that buildings used by such a broad range of religious groups are being awarded grants this year.”

The full list of buildings to benefit is Sandys Row Synagogue, Tower Hamlets; St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Hornsey; Haringey Downs Baptist Church, Hackney; Church of St Michael and All Angels, Hackney; St John's Church, Walham Green, Fulham; St Barnabas Church, Manor Park, Newham.

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