A church set in a wide landscape Chris Hoskins & National Churches Trust

Help us to save wonderful UK churches

Across the UK, churches are at risk. Please help us keep them open and in use for the benefit of all. Your donation will help us to support historic places of worship with resources, training and vital grants.

Please donate today
A large church - Newark St Mary Magdalene in Newark - with large windows. There are bare trees and colourful flowers in the foreground and a blue sky with few clouds.
Mat Fascione

Save the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme

The Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme is a lifeline for historic churches – saving them 20 per cent on repair costs. But the future of the scheme is uncertain – and churches, chapels, meeting houses and cathedrals across the country are now paying up to a fifth more for repairs. To fix urgent needs like leaking roofs and crumbling towers. Some of them cannot afford to do these repairs anymore, putting heritage and church buildings across the country at risk of disrepair and closure. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport have now been given their budget for the next few years. It is now up to them to decide if they will fund the scheme. Please join us in urging them to make the scheme permanent.

Find out more

Our impact in numbers

  • Over 2000 Churches and chapels

    We've helped keep open, in good repair and supporting local people since 2007.

  • £ 2.8 million awarded in 2024

    To churches and chapels for urgent repairs, new facilities and essential maintenance.

  • 7 Churches and chapels

    Removed from the Heritage at Risk Register in 2024 with the support of our grants.

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©CrownCopyright2020

Places to visit over the summer: explore seaside churches

Visit delightful churches nestling in their narrow lanes, or braving the elements on windswept clifftops. They are woven into the fabric of the resort and offer a retreat from the midday sun, providing you with a place to relax and take time out. Explore seaside churches and the stories they have to tell on our interactive map.

Exterior of St Martin church. A historic church in Devon in grey stone with a square tower to the left of the image. Graves and green grass are in the foreground and a white and cloudy sky is behind the building.
Robert Cutts

New research shows the public value historic churches

Historic England has released new research which shows that there is strong public support for preserving the nation’s historic churches. This was even the case among people who are secular or who do not attend church services. But why does this matter now - and how can we save churches in need?

A carved wooden figure
Push Creativity

Decoding Sacred Symbols with Richard Taylor

Join us for a series of online events from 1-2pm on 9,10 and 11 September, where we’ll be uncovering the secret language of churches with Britain's leading symbologist. Learn how to read the centuries-old visual language used to express theology, hope, power and mystery. With the £25 Series Ticket, you'll have access to all three sessions.

Church of the Week

Church of the Week

Dowlais, Mid Glamorgan

Dowlais St Illtyd is the oldest Catholic church in the Valleys. It was built in 1844 and funded by iron works and local miners. The artwork in the church includes a recent work by Kevin Sinnott, a well-known Welsh painter, and depicts the growth of the church in the Valleys. A £200,000 grant from the National Churches Trust through our Last Chance Church appeal turned everything around for this Grade II Listed church. “We are so grateful to our generous funders. Were it not for their support I don’t know how we would have kept the building open,” shares Canon Barry English, parish priest at St Illtyd. Gareth Simpson, our Wales/Cymru Support Officer, was able to attend the fête and Service at St Illtyd to celebrate the end of the re-roofing project. We are excited to have played a part in this church’s story and how it will now be able to serve the local community for many more years to come.

View Dowlais St Illtyd
A church set in a wide landscape
Chris Hoskins & National Churches Trust

Donate now to help keep churches open and in good repair

Across the UK, churches are at risk. Please help us keep them open and in use for the benefit of all. Your donation will help us to support historic places of worship with resources, training and vital grants.

Please donate now