GrantRadar

Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust

Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust grants

The Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust gives grants for repairs and improvements to historic churches, chapels and meeting houses of all Christian denominations in Leicester and Leicestershire that are used for regular public worship. Projects must cost at least £5,000 including fees and VAT, and trustees decide grants at meetings twice a year (May and November in 2026). Separate roof alarm grants are also offered.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
From £5,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Historic churches, chapels and meeting houses of any Christian denomination in Leicester and Leicestershire that are used for regular public worship, applying through the church or chapel council (the online form asks for the applicant's position, e.g. incumbent, churchwarden, PCC member or project co-ordinator)
  • The trust's 2022 guidance says it regards churches built more than 50 years ago, or listed, as historic; that the application must have the church/chapel council's approval and generally show 20% of the costs (excluding VAT) already raised; that it must be submitted by a council member, minister or other authorised person, not an agent or architect; and that relevant permissions (e.g. faculty, planning) must be obtained or in progress

What it funds

Specific projects (or combinations of projects) costing at least £5,000 including fees and all VAT to repair, restore or preserve the building fabric, such as:

  • Roofs and roof alarms
  • Drainage and rainwater goods
  • Stonework and windows
  • Ceilings and plasterwork
  • Also re-ordering projects that improve community use of the church, including disabled access, toilets and serveries, AV, some forms of heating and essential electrical works
  • Repair and conservation of fixtures and fittings such as stained and plain glass windows, bells, organs and monuments
  • Churchyards that are still the responsibility of the Church Council and open for burials

What it will not fund

  • Projects costing less than £5,000 including fees and VAT
  • Unspecified general repairs or maintenance
  • Redecorating, unless it is an integral part of a repair
  • Churchyards no longer the responsibility of the Church Council or closed for burials
  • Buildings not used for regular public worship

How to apply

  1. Email Grants.LHCT@gmail.com to say you wish to apply; the trust replies with brief initial guidance
  2. Read the trust's Grant Guidance
  3. Complete the online application form (it can be saved and resumed), or download the Print & Post form and post it to the address in the Grant Guidance
  4. Trustees consider applications at their grants meetings

The 2026 grants meetings are in May and November.

For help contact Robin Stevenson, Grants Administrator, Grants.LHCT@gmail.com, 0116 289 5648.

Have ready

Completed online or Print & Post application form

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