Devon Historic Churches Trust

Devon Historic Churches Trust Grants

Repair grants for historic places of worship across Devon, in two forms. Main grants of up to £5,000 cover larger or complex repairs and are decided at quarterly trustees' meetings. Small and emergency repair grants of up to £2,000 cover urgent damage and are decided within a few days. The Trust supports churches, chapels and synagogues alike, and also funds the cost of preliminary feasibility studies.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £5,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Moderate; full application with documents

Who can apply

Those responsible for historic places of worship in Devon that remain in use — the Trust cannot assist a church or chapel that has closed
It supports buildings of any denomination and faith, describing churches, chapels and synagogues as equally part of the county's heritage

What it funds

Main grants: larger or complex repairs including roof work, floor repairs, churchyard walls, tower repairs, masonry, rewiring, stained glass, accessible facilities, heating systems and replacement coping stones
Small and emergency repair grants: urgent repairs such as roof leaks, fallen trees, guttering and broken windows, and the cost of preliminary feasibility studies

What it will not fund

Closed churches and chapels cannot be assisted
The Trust states it does not have the resources to grant-aid bells, organs, clocks or detached church halls
An application that does not state the total project cost less funds already available cannot be considered at all

How to apply

Either complete the online form on the Trust's website or download an application form in Word or PDF and send it to the fundraising secretary
Up to ten supporting files may be attached
The Trust publishes tips for grant applications alongside the form and advises reading them first
Main grant applications must arrive three weeks before a trustees' meeting; the 2026 meetings are 19 January, 27 April, 27 July and 12 October

Have ready

For main grants: the PCC's accounts, a copy of the Faculty where applicable, and the architect's or surveyor's specification
For small and emergency repairs: the Diocesan Faculty or Archdeacon's approval, and evidence of other funding sought
Project specifications and estimates are supplied only if asked for

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