How We Built Britain

It was built as an almost identical copy of the Jerusalem original and has just undergone a £1.2 million restoration programme.

BBC Radio Northampton's Carrol Weston went along to talk to the former church warden and founder of the restoration project, John Kightly MBE:

A brief history of the church

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, or the "Crusader Round" dates back to 1100AD, and is Northampton's oldest building. The first Earl of Northampton, Simon de Senlis had the inspiration for the building after seeing the Jerusalem original. Northampton's version was built as a replica, albeit half the size. It is one of only four round churches in England. A smaller version, built approximately 30 years later can be found in Cambridge.

Over the years, a nave, chancel and aisle were added to the original structure of the round church. In the 19th century, the Church underwent extensive renovations under the guidance of architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, and some of these changes are still evident today.

In 1979, the building was declared unsafe, and if left alone, would eventually deteriorate beyond repair. As a result, efforts have been made to restore the church - which still has three of its original Norman windows - to its former glory. The Church is still used for regular worship, and hosts concerts amongst other events. It attracts visitors from all over the world.