Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust

LeicesterShire Historic Churches Preservation Trust

Registerd Charity No. 233476

Grant Applications

1. Applications must be sent to the Secretary by the beginning of March (for the April grants meeting) and by the beginning of September (for the October grants meeting). This will enable Trustees to visit any church or chapel before being discussed at a meeting of Trustees, and also allow the Secretary to clarify any matters before the meeting. Trustees cannot consider applications which arrive after the above dates; late applications will be deferred to a later meeting.

2. The application should be submitted by a member of the church/chapel council, minister, or an authorised member, and not by an agent or architect.

3. The application must have the approval of the church/chapel council.

4. Applications should be made for specific projects rather than unspecified general repairs.

5. Please answer every question on the application form.  If for any reason you find it difficult to answer a question, please explain why in a letter, or contact the Secretary for advice.

6. Grants cannot be made for projects which have started.  If a project is planned to start after submitting your application and before the Trustees meet, seek advice from the Secretary.

7. Forms will be copied for circulation to Trustees, so please write clearly in black ink.

8. Application deadlines. Grant meetings are held in April and October each year.  Applications need to be submitted at the beginning of March for the April meeting and at the beginning of September for the October meeting.

For a Grant Application Form, please contact the Acting Secretary of the Trust:

Mrs Janet Arthur, 20 Gumley Road, Smeeton Westerby, Leicester LE8 0LT

Tel  -  0116 279 3995          Email  -  chairman@lhct.org.uk

What The Trust Can Support.

What kind of buildings? The Trust helps churches and chapels of all Christian denominations that are open for public Christian worship, by giving grants towards the cost of repairs, and by advising on how financial and professional help may be obtained from other sources.  These powers do not extend to redundant or disused buildings.

What kind of work? The Trust contributes towards work to repair, restore or preserve the fabric.  The Trust aims to support such work as generously as its funds allow.

Can the Trust fund work on internal fittings? The Trust contributes towards the repair of monuments, fittings, fixtures, stained glass, furniture, ornaments and chattels of churches and chapels and of the churchyard belonging to any such churches (so long as the churchyard is still used for burials).

Other areas of work. The Trust can consider applications for the repair or renewal of heating systems, where improved heating will benefit the fabric of the building. As funds are limited, the Trust is not able to consider applications for electrical work, disability access, reordering of the interior, redecorating, toilets or kitchen facilities, extensions, school or other ancillary buildings. 

What is a “historic” church or chapel? The word historic is used fairly loosely so far as the allotment of the Trust’s funds is concerned.  The Trust tends to regard any church built before or around 100 years ago as historic, but most buildings used for public worship are of some architectural interest and all are important to their communities.  Therefore, the Trust does not apply the 100-year rule rigidly.

Bittewell, St. Mary's Church