National Churches Trust

MISSION

The work  of the National Churches Trust is dedicated to supporting places of worship of historic, architectural and communal value used by Christian denotations throughout the UK.  They do this by providing grants for urgent repairs and community facilities, helping places of worship keep their buildings in good repair through their “MaintenanceBooker” service, and on their Explore Churches website making it easy for everyone to discover the wonder of the UK’s sacred heritage.   The National Churches Trust funds urgent repairs and modernization, provides expert advice on church maintenance and on how churches can continue to serve local communities and promote church heritage and tourism.  They also run a number of award schemes which help to highlight the importance of church buildings and campaigns and projects which help, churches and the people who look after them.

ACTIVITIES

RIDE + STRIDE

Ride+Stride for churches is a sponsored bike ride or walk between churches, exploring and enjoying the countryside from Cornwall to Northumberland. It takes place every year on the second Saturday in September. The money raised helps to preserve some of Britain’s 42,000 churches, chapels and meeting houses which are at risk of falling into serious disrepair.  Supported by The National Churches Trust and in partnership with County Churches Trusts nationwide, Ride+Stride crosses 34 counties and opens the doors to some of Britain’s most rare and unusual buildings.

CAMPAIGNS

The National Churches Trust’s work includes promoting awareness of churches as some of the UK’s most important and best-loved buildings and of the need for continuing funding to keep them in good repair for future generations. One example of a campaign is Beetlemania wherein Michael Palin voiced an animated feature calling attention to the damage caused by deathwatch beetles on historic structures.

GATEWAY GRANTS

Their new Gateway Grant Programme offers grants from £3,000 to £10,000 to local churches trusts to fund projects that support organisational development, increase their capacity to support churches in their area, or that deliver new ways of supporting churches.

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