Twenty-one historic churches across the United Kingdom have been awarded a share of £133,300 under the Wolfson Fabric Repair Grants Programme.
The grants are awarded on behalf of the Wolfson Foundation by the National Churches Trust, the charity supporting church buildings of all Christian denominations across the UK.
The programme aims to support the conservation and restoration of places of worship with outstanding historic and architectural significance.
Churches can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to support building work such as roof and masonry repairs, rainwater disposal, drainage and floorwork.
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said, “Churches play a central role in the spiritual life of a community, but they are also an integral, much loved, part of our cultural heritage. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the National Churches Trust on this important programme supporting the preservation of these remarkable and wonderful buildings across the UK.”
Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of The National Churches Trust said, “The latest funding from the National Churches Trust is a much-needed lifeline for churches and chapels, many of which have found it hard to raise money for building projects during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
The grant will safeguard unique local heritage in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and provide a real boost to the people who look after and use churches and chapels as we begin to emerge from lockdowns.”
Churches awarded funding under the Wolfson Fabric Repair Grants programme this round are:
- All Saints, Wroxton, Oxfordshire
- All Saints, Farringdon, Hampshire
- First Presbyterian Church (Non-Prescribing), Newry, Down
- Killinchy Presbyterian Church, Down
- Kirkcaldy Old Kirk, Fife
- Minster Church of Sts Thomas, Newport, Isle of Wight
- St Andrew, Nether Wallop, Hampshire
- St Columba, Derry
- St Deinst, Llangarron, Herefordshire
- St Eugene, Newtonstewart, Country Tyrone
- St John, Bridgwater, Somerset
- St John, Waberthwaite, Cumbria
- St Mary and All Saints, Willoughby on the Wolds, Leicestershire
- St Mary Magdalene, Peckleton, Leicestershire
- St Mary, Nettlestead, Suffolk
- St Mary the Virgin, Badby, Northamptonshire
- St Mary the Virgin, Hull, Yorkshire
- St Michael and All Angels, Croft, Herefordshire
- St Michael and All Angels, Kingsland, Herefordshire
- St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Blandford Forum, Dorset
- St Sampson, Cricklade, Wiltshire
For more information on the Wolfson Fabric Repair Grants Programme, awarded by the National Churches Trust, visit www.nationalchurchestrust.org/our-grants/wolfson-grants
(Photo: Kirkcaldy Old Kirk, Fife, courtesy of Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Trust)
