Applications for Church Grants Open for 2020

The first round of Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust’s grant applications are now open until the 30th of April 2020.

With our region having over 620 historic churches, chapels and meeting houses, the Trust’s grants vitally important. 

GHCT grants help these buildings stay alive as centres of community life and landmarks of our wonderful architectural heritage.

The Trust raises funds and provides £150,000 in grants for churches annually in Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and North Bristol. Jonathan MacKechnie-Jarvis, the Trust’s Grants Chairman, says: “At GHCT we are very open-minded and we very rarely say no to a project.

We have a simple application process and we make decisions quickly.  We understand the importance of these grants to the local people and getting their churches back on track.

Often we are the first successful application in local projects and our grants can be that first big encouragement” One example of where the Trust has helped is Holy Trinity, Stapleton.

Sitting at the top of Bell Hill in Stapleton, with its 170 foot spire, Holy Trinity dominates the skyline of north-east Bristol.

For over 100 years, roof repairs had been done as and when necessary, leaving the roof with a patchwork of worn and leaky slates in urgent need of repair.

To preserve the fine interior, with its beautiful stained-glass windows the church has raised nearly £200,000 over four years. Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust has contributed a total of £21,500 to the project.

Appeal Chair, Delia Beake, said:

“When our Church Roof Appeal started in 2015 we approached a lot of smaller charities. 

We did not have much success until Gloucester Historic Churches Trust entered the frame. This was such an important moment – the Trust recognised what we were trying to do and lent us their support. 

The impact of their support motivated us further and thanks to substantial further donations, has enabled us to complete three phases of the Roof Repair Project . 

GHCT’s donation towards the last phase pushed us over the 50% target we needed to approach larger grant making bodies. This opened up new lines of funding.

GHCT has always shown faith in us and with their help we are confident we will complete the project by the spring of 2021”.

If you have a historic building in Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire or North Bristol requiring repair or renovation you can apply for a grant by downloading the form from the website: www.ghct.org.uk/grants/apply