Shropshire Historic Churches Trust

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 1010690
• Annual Giving: £135,750 (2024)
• Annual Income: £138,149 (2024)
• Grant Range: Typically £3,000 - £5,400 (average)
• Total Grants to Date: Over 400 grants worth £1,500,000+ to 200+ churches
• Decision Time: Quarterly trustee meetings
• Geographic Focus: Shropshire
• Website: shropshirehct.org.uk

Contact Details

Grants Administrator

Mr John Whiteside

Bryn Awel, Pool Bank

Pontesbury Hill Road

Shrewsbury SY5 0YJ

Tel: 01743 791147

Email: c.whiteside.whiteside@btinternet.com

Chairman

Mr John Clark

Website: www.shropshirehct.org.uk

Overview

The Shropshire Historic Churches Trust (charity number 1010690) was established to provide grants to churches and chapels in Shropshire to assist with their repair and maintenance, especially those of architectural or historical significance. Now in its 34th year, the Trust has awarded over 400 grants worth in excess of £1,500,000 to more than 200 churches and chapels. Recent grants (last 3 years totalling nearly £250,000) have averaged £5,400, compared with the historical average of around £3,000. The Trust is governed by 10 trustees and supported by 30 volunteers, with no trustees receiving remuneration. In 2024, the Trust awarded grants totalling £135,750. The Trust's main fundraising event is the annual Ride+Stride, which raised a record £38,446.72 in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Program: Rolling application basis with quarterly trustee decisions

• Average Grant: £5,400 (recent 3-year average)
• Historical Average: £3,000
• Application Method: Application form submitted to Grants Administrator

Priority Areas

The Trust supports churches and chapels that are:

• Listed buildings
• Of historical or architectural interest
• Used for Christian worship or ceremonies
• Likely to remain in use for worship

Types of Work Most Commonly Funded:

• Fabric repairs (stone, brick, slate, wood)
• Roof repairs
• Gutters, downpipes, and drains
• Leaking roof repairs

Increasingly Funded Projects (to make churches more welcoming and accessible):

• Lighting improvements
• Heating systems
• Access ramps and paths
• Notice boards
• Kitchen facilities
• Toilet facilities

What They Support

At the discretion of the Trustees, grants are given for:

• Preservation
• Repair
• Renovation
• Improvement of churches and chapels and their contents

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust focuses specifically on:

• Churches and chapels in Shropshire only
• Buildings used for Christian worship
• Listed or historically/architecturally significant buildings

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Governance and Leadership

Presidents

• The Bishop of Hereford
• The Bishop of Lichfield
• The Bishop of Ludlow
• The Bishop of Shrewsbury
• The Roman Catholic Bishop of Shrewsbury
• The Chairman, Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Methodist District
• The Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire

Trustees and Officers

Chairman: Mr John Clark

Key Officers:

• Treasurer: Mrs Rachel Pittaway
• Grants Administrator: Mr John Whiteside
• Membership Secretary: Mrs Anne Edge
• Gardens Open Organiser: Mrs Katharine Wheeler
• Ride+Stride County Organiser: Mr David Hardham (shrops.ridestride@gmail.com)
• Ride+Stride Treasurer: Mr John Pittaway
• Legacies: Mr Roger Hughes (r.dhughes@btinternet.com)
• Bookings Secretary: Mrs Pamela Hill
• Website: Mr Ian Southworth

The Trust operates with 10 trustees and 30 volunteers, with no trustees receiving any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Obtain Application Form: Download the new application form (updated March 2025) from the Trust's website or contact the Grants Administrator
2. Read Accompanying Notes: Applicants are advised to read carefully the preceding, accompanying notes before submitting an application
3. Submit to Grants Administrator: Send completed application to Mr John Whiteside at the address above
4. Presentation of Grant: On satisfactory completion of the project, the Trust presents, at an appropriate service of worship, a certificate and cheque to the recipient grant-awarded church or chapel

Decision Timeline

• Trustee Meetings: Quarterly
• Application Timing: Rolling basis
• Specific Deadlines: Not specified - applications reviewed at quarterly meetings

Success Rates

While specific success rate percentages are not published, the Trust notes that:

• Over 400 grants have been awarded to more than 200 churches and chapels
• The Trust “rarely is the only grant provider” - churches typically need to search for multiple funding sources
• The Trust awarded £135,750 in grants in 2024

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Contact the Grants Administrator for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt.

Application Success Factors

Key Advice from the Trust

"The Trust's advice is to seek help early to prevent small problems becoming big ones."

This direct guidance from the Trust emphasizes the importance of:

• Early intervention before minor repairs become major projects
• Proactive maintenance planning
• Preventative rather than reactive approach to building care

Understanding Their Context

“Rarely is the SHCT the only grant provider” - The Trust acknowledges that churches typically need to raise substantial sums from multiple sources. This means:

• Your application should demonstrate you're seeking other funding sources
• Show a comprehensive funding strategy beyond SHCT support
• Evidence of applications to other funders (e.g., Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme for VAT reclaims, National Churches Trust, etc.)

Project Types They Prioritize

The Trust notes they are “increasingly being asked to consider grant applications to make churches more welcoming and accessible” and they are “pleased to help congregations encourage greater use of their buildings.” This suggests:

• Applications that demonstrate community benefit and increased accessibility are viewed favorably
• Projects that enhance usability and welcome are aligned with current priorities
• Traditional fabric repair remains the core focus but accessibility improvements are welcomed

Eligibility is Crucial

The Trust specifies clear eligibility criteria:

• Must be a listed building OR of historical/architectural interest
• Must be used for Christian worship or ceremonies
• Must be likely to remain in use for worship
• Must be located in Shropshire

Ensure your application clearly addresses all these criteria.

Additional Funding Context

Be aware of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (extended to March 2026), which reimburses VAT incurred in repair work. The Trust mentions this scheme, suggesting applicants should maximize available funding sources. Note: The scheme has a cap of £25,000 per organization per year.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply early - The Trust explicitly advises seeking help before small problems become big ones; don't wait until your church faces a crisis
• Demonstrate multiple funding sources - The Trust recognizes they are rarely the sole funder; show a comprehensive fundraising strategy
• Average grant is £5,400 - Recent 3-year average, with historical average around £3,000; plan your budget accordingly
• Accessibility matters - The Trust is increasingly interested in projects that make churches more welcoming and accessible to encourage greater community use
• Quarterly decisions - Trustees meet four times annually; plan your application timing around this schedule
• Focus on fabric repairs - Traditional building repairs (roofs, gutters, drainage) remain the most common need and the Trust's core expertise
• Location matters - Must be in Shropshire and meet heritage/worship criteria; ensure eligibility is crystal clear in your application

References

1. Shropshire Historic Churches Trust Official Website - Grants Page. https://www.shropshirehct.org.uk/AboutUs/Grants.aspx
2. Shropshire Historic Churches Trust - Presidents & Trustees Page. https://www.shropshirehct.org.uk/AboutUs/CommitteePhoto.aspx
3. Charity Commission Register - Shropshire Historic Churches Trust (Charity No. 1010690). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1010690
4. National Churches Trust - Shropshire Historic Churches Trust. https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/shropshire-historic-churches-trust
5. Ride and Stride - Shropshire. https://ridestride.org/counties/shropshire/
6. Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme Information. https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/buildings-maintenance/listed-places-worship-grants-scheme