Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust

Charity Number: 1168567

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

Stay updated on changes from Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £250,000+ (£218,000 awarded May 2024, £174,000 October 2024)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 8-12 weeks (three meetings annually)
Grant Range: £500 - £50,000
Geographic Focus: Oxfordshire only
Annual Income: £402,474 (2024/25)

Contact Details

Main Contact:

Secretary: Richard Hughes
Address: 4 Haslemere Gardens, Oxford, OX2 8EL
Phone: 01865 559305
Email: secretary@ohct.org.uk
Website: https://ohct.org.uk

Key Personnel:

Chairman: Stephen Goss
Treasurer: George Wingfield Digby
Grants Officer: Cynthia Robinson
Development Officer: Hilary Cakebread Hall

Pre-application support: Contact your area representative for help and advice before completing the application (details available through main office)

Overview

The Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust was established in 1964 and re-registered in 2016 (charity number 1168567). An entirely volunteer-led organization with 9 trustees and 200 volunteers, OHCT has distributed over £3.5 million to Oxfordshire churches since its founding. The Trust provides financial support for the preservation, repair, upkeep, and restoration of historic churches across Oxfordshire regardless of denomination. The organization recognizes that “Oxfordshire has a rich heritage of churches of all denominations. Many of these date from Saxon and Norman times, standing as landmarks in their neighbourhoods and providing an important focus of continuity and stability in ever-changing times.” The Trust's primary income source is the annual Ride and Stride fundraising event, which typically contributes around £100,000 annually. In recent years, the Trust has awarded approximately £250,000 annually in grants, with recent rounds including £218,000 to 19 churches and £174,000 to 12 churches.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £500 - £35,000 (rolling basis with three annual deadlines)

Online application system through OHCT website
Three decision rounds per year
Application deadlines: January 23, May 15, September 25

David Booth Award: Up to £50,000 (exceptional projects)

Major grant for significant modernization and enhancement projects
Awarded through standard application process
Recent recipient: Wallingford Quakers Meeting House (£50,000, May 2024)

Emergency and Supplementary Grants: Variable amounts

Available for urgent repairs or cost overruns
Recent examples include £4,000 supplementary grant for increased roof repair costs

Small Grants: Under £10,000

Encourages feasibility studies, option studies, scoping out, and investigative works
Six churches received grants under £10,000 in May 2024 round

Priority Areas

Structural Repairs and Maintenance:

Restoration, upkeep and maintenance of fabric
Roof repairs and tower work
Stonework restoration
Drainage systems
Churchyard walls, monuments and footpaths

Building Services:

Heating and lighting repairs or replacement
Energy efficient heating systems
Electrical work upgrades
Security systems

Historic Features:

Repairs to pipe organs, bells, clocks
Internal monuments and windows restoration

Modern Facilities:

Toilets, kitchens and utility areas
Disabled access improvements
Modernization that maintains historical integrity

Professional Services:

Architect's fees (excluding VAT) for completed projects

New Work:

Only supported if all essential repairs have been completed or are in hand
Must maintain the historical integrity of the building, contents and environment

What They Don't Fund

Buildings completed less than 50 years ago (unless special circumstances apply)
Work that has already started or is due to start before the relevant Council meeting
Routine maintenance (unless identified as part of quinquennial inspection)
Pew removal or replacement
Parish halls
Car parks
VAT on architect's fees

Ready to write a winning application for Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Stephen Goss, Chairman

The Trust is currently led by Stephen Goss. His predecessor, Christopher H. Walton, served as chairman since 1999 and received an MBE for raising and distributing more than £2 million for Oxfordshire churches during his tenure.

Richard Hughes, Secretary

Main point of contact for general inquiries and applications.

Cynthia Robinson, Grants Officer

Oversees the grant application and assessment process.

George Wingfield Digby, Treasurer

Manages the Trust's finances and annual budget of over £400,000.

Governance Structure

9 trustees (no remuneration)
200 volunteers supporting activities
No employees with benefits exceeding £60,000
Three Council meetings annually to assess applications
Area representatives throughout Oxfordshire provide local support

Key Philosophy

The Trust emphasizes its mission to help "local communities repair, maintain and improve Oxfordshire's historic churches, preserving them for future generations." All trustees serve without remuneration, demonstrating the Trust's commitment to maximizing funds available for grants.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Pre-Application:

Contact your area representative for help and advice before completing the application
Discuss any outstanding repairs from quinquennial surveys with your area representative
Ensure work has not started and will not start before the Council meeting

Application Requirements:

Create an online account at https://ohct.org.uk
Complete online application form including:
Church details (name, location, grade/class)
Electoral roll numbers and attendance figures
Architectural information
Quinquennial inspection details
Nature and estimated cost of work with supporting quotes
PCC accounts
Project photos
Architect details and supervision arrangements
Project timeline and phasing
Diocesan Advisory Committee approval (Church of England churches)
Confirmation of PCC agreement
Ride and Stride participation information

Decision Timeline

Application Deadlines and Meetings:

January 23 deadline → February 10 Council meeting
May 15 deadline → June 2 Council meeting
September 25 deadline → October 13 Council meeting

Timeline:

Submit application by deadline
Council meets approximately 2-3 weeks after deadline
Notifications sent following Council meeting
Total process: approximately 8-12 weeks from submission to decision

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, recent funding rounds show:

May 2024: 19 churches funded from £218,000 available
October 2024: 12 churches funded from £174,000 available
Annual giving approximately £250,000+

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy is not explicitly stated on the website. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the Grants Officer or their area representative to discuss feedback and potential reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Critical Success Factors

Pre-Application Engagement:

The Trust strongly emphasizes contacting your area representative before applying. This is highlighted as a key step and provides opportunity for:

Guidance on application strength
Advice on project scope and phasing
Discussion of quinquennial inspection issues
Strategic timing recommendations

Ride and Stride Participation:

The application form specifically asks about participation in the annual Ride and Stride event. While not explicitly stated as a requirement, this suggests that demonstrating support for the Trust's fundraising efforts may be viewed favorably. The event is the Trust's largest income source, raising approximately £100,000 annually for Oxfordshire.

Essential Repairs First:

New work is only supported if all essential repairs have been completed or are in hand. Applications should clearly demonstrate that urgent structural issues are addressed before modernization projects.

Historical Integrity:

New work must maintain “the historical integrity of the building, contents and environment.” Applications should demonstrate sensitivity to the building's historic character and explain how modern additions complement rather than compromise heritage features.

Project Readiness:

Strong applications include:

Detailed cost estimates with supporting quotes
Clear architect involvement and supervision arrangements
Diocesan Advisory Committee approval (for Church of England)
Realistic timelines
Evidence of other funding sources or fundraising plans
High-quality photographs showing the work needed

Recent Funded Projects

Examples from recent funding rounds demonstrate the range of projects supported:

Major Grants (£20,000+):

St Nicholas, Kiddington: £35,000 for extensive repairs
St Michael in the Northgate, Oxford: £35,000 for structural and facility improvements
St John the Baptist, Kidmore End: £35,000 for repairs
Wallingford Quakers Meeting House: £50,000 (David Booth Award) for modernization
St Mary Magdalene, Crowmarsh Clifford: £30,000 for accessible WC and servery
St Mary, Adderbury: £26,000 for chandeliers to heat the church
Marsh Baldon (St Peter): £20,000 for modernisation, WC and kitchen
Minster Lovell (St Kenelm): £20,000 for roof repairs and lighting improvements

Medium Grants (£10,000-£20,000):

Hook Norton (Baptist): £16,000 for drainage work, lighting and heating
Abingdon (All Saints Methodist): £15,000 for refurbishment works
Stoke Lyne (St Peter): £15,000 for floors, heating and lighting

Small Grants (Under £10,000):

Holy Trinity, Sibford Gower: £8,000 for energy efficient heating
St Mary Magdalene, Stoke Talmage: £6,000 for internal ceiling repairs

Common Project Types

Analysis of recent awards shows successful applications frequently include:

Roof repairs and restoration
Modern facilities (WCs, kitchens)
Energy-efficient heating systems
Lighting improvements
Disabled access enhancements
Drainage work
Combined repair and modernization projects

Key Language and Terminology

The Trust uses specific terminology that applicants should mirror:

“Historical integrity”
“Essential repairs”
“Practical enhancement”
“Preservation for future generations”
“Maintaining heritage”
“Community benefit”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Pre-application contact is crucial: Engage with your area representative before submitting. This is explicitly recommended by the Trust and provides strategic guidance that can strengthen your application significantly.

Plan around three annual deadlines: Applications are considered only three times per year (January, May, September). Plan project timelines to align with these deadlines, allowing 8-12 weeks for decisions.

Demonstrate Ride and Stride support: While not a formal requirement, the Trust asks about participation in their annual fundraising event. Consider organizing church participation as evidence of community engagement with the Trust's mission.

Prioritize essential repairs: If proposing new work or modernization, clearly demonstrate that all essential structural repairs are completed or funded. The Trust explicitly prioritizes preservation over enhancement.

Balance heritage and practicality: Successful applications show sensitivity to historical integrity while making practical improvements. Frame modern facilities as enabling continued use and preservation of the historic building.

Grant amounts vary widely: Recent awards range from £500 to £50,000 (David Booth Award). Don't assume your project is too large or too small - the Trust funds across the full spectrum from feasibility studies to major restoration.

Comprehensive documentation strengthens applications: Include detailed quotes, architect involvement, diocesan approval, and high-quality photos. The Trust's online system requires substantial supporting information, reflecting thorough assessment processes.