Christmas funding boost for 45 historic churches

Huw Edwards

Source: National Churches Trust

Forty-five churches and chapels around the UK are getting an early Christmas gift, sharing in a new £463,000 funding allocation from the National Churches Trust. Among recipient of the grant are three Catholic churches: Holy Name of Jesus, Manchester, Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Michael, Workington and Our Lady of Peace in Newbridge, Gwent, Wales.

The funding comes at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on the finances of many churches. Many have been unable to raise money from worshippers, visitors or from the hire of church halls.

In 2020 the National Churches Trust has awarded 260 grants totalling £1,723,000, including recommendations on behalf of other funders with £200,000 of the funding provided by the Wolfson Foundation. This is an increase in grant funding of almost £400,000 compared to 2019, when the Trust made 188 awards totalling £1,344,474.

The Grade II church of Our Lady of Peace has a fascinating story. A £10,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant will help fund repairs to its roof making it watertight and preserving its historic fabric. The work will include removing bitumen paint and netting installed during World War Two to avoid detection of the church, a prominent navigational aid for German planes, in wartime air raids over south Wales. The church also receives a £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation on the recommendation of the National Churches Trust.

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 and have done so much to help local people during the COVID-19 lockdown. 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."

"So I'm delighted that the National Churches is providing much needed grants to keep churches and chapels in good repair and with up to date facilities, including toilets and kitchens, so that they can remain open and at the services of local people."

For a full list of churches receiving the grants, see: www.nationalchurchestrust.org/news/christmas-funding-boost-churches-and-chapels