Work at Causey Hall, Dispensary Walk, Halifax, will get under way to make the building watertight this month.

The church hall, which is next to Halifax Parish Church, was built in 1857 and the £140,000 restoration scheme will be overseen by buildings preservation trust Heritage Works.

It is due for completion in Feburary 2008.

The owners of Causey Hall, the Wakefield Diocesan Trust Organisation Society and the Parochial Church Council of Halifax Parish Church are aiming to safeguard the grade II listed building. The plan is to convert the gothic building, which sits in the Halifax town centre conservation area, for another use in future years.

Vicar of Halifax Hilary Barber said: "This project is good news for the people of Halifax, for the church and the diocese. Not only will it make the building and the area around it much safer for passers-by, it will preserve our heritage for future generations."

Action Halifax has funded £60,000 towards the repairs in partnership with Calderdale Council. The other £80,000 came from a loan by the Architectural Heritage Fund, a charity which promotes the conservation of historic UK buildings.

Jenny Dadd, the council's urban renewal officer, said: "Causey Hall is a building that we have been increasingly concerned about. The future now looks much brighter."