Christmas joy as historic churches share in funding payout
3 min read
77 churches and chapels in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are sharing in a £430,000 Christmas grant payout from the National Churches Trust, the charity supporting church buildings of all Christian denominations across the UK.
Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of The National Churches Trust, said:
“The UK's historic churches and chapels are a vital part of our national heritage. But to survive, many need to carry out urgent repairs and install modern facilities. The cost of this work is far beyond what most congregations can pay for themselves and the latest grants from the National Churches Trust will help ensure that 77 churches and chapels are safe for future generations to enjoy.”
“In 2018 the National Churches Trust awarded grants of £1.2 million to help 202 projects at churches and chapels around the UK.”
“Demand for funding from the National Churches Trust continues to grow, with 583 grant applications received in 2018, up from 473 grant applications in 2017, a 23% increase. “
Churches being helped include:
- St Leonard, Shoreditch, London. In 1817, it became the first London church to have gaslight.
A £20,000 National Churches Trust Repair Grant will help fund a project to carry out urgent repairs to crumbling stonework on the main front and portico of this Grade I listed church.
- St German’s, Adamsdown, Cardiff. One of the finest Victorian churches in Wales.
A £15,000 National Churches Trust Repair Grant will help fund repairs to St German’s, Adamsdown to help fix a leaking roof and stone repairs, making the church watertight and preserving its historic fabric.
- Pickering Methodist church, Pickering, North Yorkshire. The central worship area is largely unchanged since the Victorian era, providing an almost museum-like environment of a bygone age.
A £8,000 National Churches Trust Community Grant will help fund a project to re-site the kitchen and toilets of Pickering Methodist church to allow the church to host community events.
- St Peter and St Paul Church, Bromyard, Herefordshire. HFS Morgan, who invented the Morgan three-wheeler in 1909, grew up in the rectory of Stoke Lacy – his father and grandfather were rectors in the church for 66 years.
A £15,000 National Churches Trust Repair Grant will help make Grade II listed St Peter and Paul church watertight by funding urgent repairs to the roof and spire.
The Grade II listed church, largely built in the Victorian era, is thought to date back to the 12th century. Its oldest feature is a Norman arch, but it has many medieval elements, including a 13th-century font and several bells. It has a beautiful chancel screen carved in around 1500.
11 National Churches Trust Repair Grants, seven Community
33 Partnership Grants, 23 Maintenance Grants and three Project Development Grants were awarded.
More details here
