MISSION
The Friends of Friendless Churches rescues and campaigns for redundant historic churches threatened by demolition, decay, and unsympathetic conversion. They now care for over 50 former places of worship in England and Wales. They preserve these buildings for the local community and visitors to enjoy. They are independent and non-denominational, currently caring for over fifty former places of worship across England and Wales and taking on a least two more each year. They believe these buildings are their greatest architectural legacy and should be respected and enjoyed as such. Their work is sustained by local volunteers who are the guardians of these places and use them for concerts, exhibitions, supper clubs, beer festivals, folk festivals, and as community centres. Maintaining and repairing churches is a considerable financial challenge. They rely on the generosity of their members and on the willingness of groups of local Friends to fundraise and to act as their eyes and ears.
ACTIVITIES
COTTAM WILL TRUST
Through the Cottam Will Trust, the organization can make grants for items such as statues/sculpture, murals, paintings, paschal candlesticks, vestments, Commandment Boards, stained glass, altars and altar frontals. Grants are normally made for new works of art, but they have funded the purchase of salvaged items. Anyone can apply for a grant but they tend to get applications from Parochial Church Councils (PCC). Sometimes they come from the artist themselves, with the backing of the PCC. Through their hard work, the capital base for the trust now exceeds £500,000.
VOLUNTEERING
The organization offers several volunteer opportunities for the public. Many of the churches involved in the network are always active and host events which rely on voluntary work. These events can include things from cake bakes and harvest suppers to talks, hands-on maintenance and educational trips and visits.
Click here for more information about the organisation
Click here to read an interesting article in the Guardian about their main activities rescuing churches
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