• Apply for a Grant

    LHCT gives grants for repairs and improvements to historic churches, chapels and meeting houses throughout Leicester and Leicestershire that are used for regular public worship

  • We consider applications for projects costing at least £5,000, inclusive of fees and all VAT. Applications should be for specific projects (or combination of projects) not for unspecified general repairs or maintenance.

    Since the LeicesterShire Historic Churches Trust was founded in 1964 it has provided nearly 950 grants totalling £1,200,000 for repairs and improvements to more than 320 churches and chapels of all Christian denominations throughout Leicester and Leicestershire. (Roof alarm grants are additional to these figures.) The Trustees awarded £34,250 in grants in 2022 and £23,250 in 2023.  We hope to have around £30,000 available for grants in 2024.  

    Funding for our grants comes from the Trust's share of funds raised through the annual Ride+Stride Sponsored Event and Church Open Day and from generous donations and grants to the Trust.

    The Trust supports projects to repair, restore or preserve the building fabric – such as roofs and roof alarms, drainage and rainwater goods, stonework and windows, ceilings and plasterwork – but not redecorating unless it is an integral part of a repair.

    The Trust supports re-ordering projects which will improve the use of the church by the community, including disabled access, toilets and serveries, AV and some forms of heating, and essential electrical works. 

    The Trust can consider applications for the repair and conservation of fixtures and fittings such as stained and plain glass windows, bells, organs and monuments; and churchyards (so long as the churchyard is still under the responsibility of the Church Council and also open for burials).

    Roof alarm grants

    Roof Alarm Grants – funded by generous grants from Allchurches Trust Ltd and from the Diocese of Leicester

    The LeicesterShire Historic Churches Trust (LHCT) has been awarded funds by Allchurches Trust Ltd and by the Diocese to give grants to churches that wish to install a roof alarm.

    Find Out More

    Apply for a grant by completing the online application form below

    IMPORTANT - Before starting the online form, please email Grants.LHCT@gmail.com and let us know that you wish to make an application - we will respond with brief initial guidance.  Please also consult the Grant Guidance on this page.  To see all the questions on the application form in advance, you can find them on the Print & Post form in a slightly different order.  Once you have started the online form you can come back at any time to continue or complete it by clicking the "Save & Resume Later" button.  Our grants meetings in 2022 will be on 17 May and 1 November.  (To apply for a Roof Alarm Grant please see the dark blue box above.)

    Help and Advice

    If you require any help or advice before or during the application process please contact Robin Stevenson, Grants Administrator - Grants.LHCT@gmail.com - 0116 289 5648


    Grant Guidance

    Please download our Grant Guidance to aid you in filling out the forms.

    Download Grant Guidance


    Print & Post

    Alternatively, you can apply for a grant by downloading a paper copy of the application form below. Please post the completed form to the address shown in the Grant Guidance.

    Download Form

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    Keep in touch and find out what's happening at the Trust - which churches and chapels have received grants and what our plans are for Ride + Stride and other exciting events. We'll send a newsletter and Trust updates to your email address.

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