Heritage is at risk like never before in the UK. But together, we are able to make a difference to churches, chapels and meeting houses – keeping them open and in use and protecting them for the future. In our latest round of grants, 53 places of worship now have hope for the future – thanks to you.
You have helped us to:
- Preserve the tallest spire in Worcestershire,
- Stop a 700-year-old Dorset church from – quite literally – sliding down the steep slope it sits on,
- Restore a rotting and damage thatched roof at a Grade I Quaker Meeting House in Cornwall,
- Repair an asbestos-filled roof at a historic catholic barn chapel in Preston,
- Mend the sinking floors in a Grade I Listed Devon church,
- Enable a Welsh Valley’s church to get running water after 170 years,
- Install an accessible toilet and upgrade the kitchen so that a Grade B Stirling Methodist can cater for all and hold community cafes in the future,
- Fix the failing roof at the only UK home of the Norbertine Canons, so they can continue to be a safe space for refugees in London.
Why partnership matters
By joining together with other organisations that also have the drive to see places of worship kept open and in good repair, even more churches, chapels and meeting houses are being saved for the future.
As part of our grants, the National Churches Trust gives out funding on behalf of other organisations, such as the Wolfson Foundation, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Headley Trust, the Jane Hodge Foundation and the Moondance Foundation.
"While churches are primarily places of worship, they also serve as vital community landmarks,” says Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, who we partner with to award Wolfson Fabric Repair Grants of up to £10,000.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with the National Churches Trust to ensure these cherished buildings are conserved and restored for future generations to experience and enjoy."
Hear from some of the churches you’ve helped keep open
Stopping a 700-year-old church from sliding down a hill
St Eustace Church in Ibberton, Dorset, is needing urgent repairs to stop the church – quite literally – sliding down the slope it sits on. The Grade II* Listed church, which is more than 700 years old, has far reaching views over the Blackmore Vale. Located in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you get to it via a very steep bridle path.
But the chalk soil underneath the church is moving – and over time, could take the church slowly with it. Already, the North Wall has rotated outwards, there is a significant gap between the north west window and the stone window frame, and cracks have appeared around the window too.
Thankfully, an innovative solution has been found, which will involve ‘anchoring’ the church into the hill by drilling steel rods into the foundations of building. And two generous grants recommended by the National Churches Trust will help to secure the future of this magnificent church. On the recommendation of the National Churches Trust, St Eustace church will receive a £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation and a £4,000 grant from the Headley Trust.
“We are indebted to the National Churches Trust for their financial support to help our small rural parish rescue our beloved 700-year-old St Eustace Church from collapse into the Vale below,” shares Annette Newman, Parochial Church Council Secretary at St Eustace.
“This major undertaking is made more challenging by the church being situated halfway up a steep hill, with difficult access. Delightful as the site is! Thank you again.”
Saving a historic barn chapel 20 per cent of their repair costs
Slates are falling off the roof at St Francis Hill Chapel in Preston. The asbestos ceiling is crumbling – raining down dust and asbestos onto the pews. New cracks are appearing all the time.
The chapel has huge historical significance – it was built at a time when the penal laws in England imposed severe restrictions on Catholics, limiting their ability to meet and worship together. However, the Lancashire Catholics were determined to continue to practise. In the early 18th century, the Franciscan Order considered it to be safe to build a small chapel two miles outside the village of Goosnargh on high ground known as The Hill. The chapel was designed to resemble a barn and was sited well away from the main community. It was completed in 1755.
Now, it is not just a place of history, heritage and worship but a vital part of the community. The chapel hosts concerts and community groups. A group of volunteer gardeners meet every week; this community group has brought people together and helped banish loneliness and isolation – particularly among elderly people.
“The original shortfall the church had was £25,000. But we were able to tell them about the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme, run by the UK Government, which enables the chapel to claim back VAT on the repairs work. This saves them 20 per cent – one fifth of their costs,” explains Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust.
“The whole parish community is extremely grateful for the support offered by the National Churches Trust.
“Given the high cost of church repairs, the success of our project will also rely heavily on the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme. This Government run scheme which currently enables us to reclaim the VAT paid on all church repairs is due to come to an end in March 2025. We must do all in our power to impress upon government the importance of this support not only to our national church heritage, but also to the wellbeing of the communities our parishes serve and support.”
Find out what you can do to help make the case for the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme
Find out more about the grants awarded
Click on the interactive map below to find out details of all grants awarded in this latest round of funding.
