The Bedfordshire And Hertfordshire Historic Churches Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £114,350 (2023-24)
• Total Grants Awarded: £4.2 million (since 1991)
• Grant Range: £2,000 - £10,000
• Number of Awards: 19 churches (2023-24)
• Geographic Focus: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and part of Barnet (Diocese of St Albans)
• Established: 1991

Contact Details

• Website: www.bedshertshct.org.uk
• Email: wmarsterson@yahoo.co.uk
• Phone: 07932 181441
• Grants Secretary: Andrew Lambourne
• Registered Charity Number: 1005697

Overview

The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Historic Churches Trust was established in 1991 to raise and manage funds for the restoration, preservation, repair, and reconstruction of historic churches and chapels in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and part of Barnet within the Diocese of St Albans. Since its founding, the Trust has awarded £4.2 million in grants, supporting hundreds of churches across both counties. The Trust is entirely run by volunteers, with no trustees receiving remuneration. Funding comes from membership subscriptions, donations, and their annual "Bike 'n Hike" sponsored fundraising event, which raised £103,607 in 2024. The Trust also acts as a distributive agent for church grants made by the Wixamtree Trust in Bedfordshire, significantly expanding funding opportunities for churches in that county.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: £2,000 - £10,000

• Supports urgent and essential repairs to historic churches and chapels
• Available to churches in both Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
• Contact Grants Secretary to initiate application process

Wixamtree Trust Grants (Bedfordshire only): £1,000 - £10,000

• Administered through the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Historic Churches Trust
• Small Grants Programme offers up to £4,000 for consideration between meetings
• Larger grants typically range from £1,000 to £10,000
• 16 churches benefited in 2023-24

Priority Areas

The Trust funds a wide range of conservation and repair projects including:

• Masonry and stonework repairs
• Roof repairs and maintenance
• Structural surveys
• Church hall restoration
• Bells and belfry repairs
• Electrical system repairs
• Lighting replacement
• Heating system repairs and replacement
• General preservation and maintenance of historic church buildings

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not explicitly stated, but the Trust focuses exclusively on:

• Churches and chapels (places of worship)
• Historic buildings (within the Diocese of St Albans)
• Buildings located in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, or the relevant part of Barnet

Ready to write a winning application for The Bedfordshire And Hertfordshire 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

Current Trustees:

• Madeline Russell - Chairman (since 2024): Leads the organization of the annual Bike 'n Hike fundraising event and has been a trustee since 2014
• Lynda Klimas - Secretary (since Autumn 2024): Brings extensive experience in church care, having recently retired from full-time ministry
• Trevor Groom - Treasurer (appointed September 2022)
• Andrew Lambourne - Trustee and Grants Secretary: Key contact for grant applications
• Archie Russell - Trustee and former Grants Secretary: Retired architect with extensive experience in church restoration
• Richard Genochio - Trustee and former Chairman: Led the establishment of the Endowment Fund
• Christopher Green - Founding Trustee and former Treasurer: Served as Chairman 2006-2009
• Mark Newbery - Trustee and Friends and Supporters Secretary (appointed 2024)
• Richard North - Trustee and Gift Aid Secretary (appointed 2024): Has served as Bike 'n Hike Treasurer since 2010

The Trust benefits from long-serving trustees with deep expertise in church architecture, conservation, and heritage preservation.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Main Trust Grants:

• Contact Grants Secretary Andrew Lambourne via email to express interest
• No formal application deadlines published - appears to operate on a rolling basis
• Churches receiving grants are expected to become Corporate Members of the Trust

Wixamtree Trust Grants (Bedfordshire only):

• Online application through Wixamtree Trust website
• Fixed deadline meetings (example: applications by January 7 for February meeting)
• Small Grants Programme (up to £4,000) considered between meetings via sub-committee
• Email enquiries: info@wixamtree.org or phone: 0208 777 4140

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified for the main Trust grants. For Wixamtree grants administered through the Trust, decisions are made at scheduled trustee meetings with specific deadlines published in advance.

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not published. However, the Trust awarded grants to 19 churches in 2023-24, demonstrating active grant-making activity.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated in available sources. Contact the Grants Secretary for guidance on unsuccessful applications or subsequent applications.

Application Success Factors

Recent Funded Projects (2023-24 Examples)

• Blunham, St Edmund or St James: £10,000 for masonry repairs
• Chalgrave, All Saints: £2,000 for roof repair
• Luton, St Christopher: £10,000 to restore church hall
• Keysoe, St Mary: £6,000 for detailed structural survey
• Ampthill, St Andrew's Church: £10,000 for stonework repair
• Bedford, St Paul's Church: £10,000 for bells and belfry repairs
• Harlington, St Mary: £10,000 for stonework repairs

Key Success Factors

Focus on Essential Repairs: The Trust prioritizes urgent and essential repairs that preserve the historic fabric of church buildings. Structural issues, weather protection (roofs), and masonry repairs appear frequently among funded projects.

Historic Significance: As the name suggests, the Trust focuses on historic churches and chapels. Buildings with heritage value within the Diocese of St Albans are the primary beneficiaries.

Geographic Eligibility: Ensure your church is located within Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, or the relevant part of Barnet within the Diocese of St Albans.

Corporate Membership: Churches receiving grants must become Corporate Members of the Trust, demonstrating commitment to the Trust's mission and creating an ongoing relationship.

Professional Documentation: Applications involving structural surveys and professional assessments appear to be well-received, as evidenced by grants specifically for detailed structural surveys.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Direct Contact Essential: The application process begins with direct contact to the Grants Secretary rather than an online portal, suggesting a relationship-based approach
• Modest Grant Amounts: Typical grants range from £2,000 to £10,000, so plan for this to be part of a broader funding strategy rather than sole source
• Geographic Limitation: Strict geographic focus on two counties plus part of Barnet - only churches in these areas are eligible
• Historic Focus: The Trust specifically supports historic churches and chapels, not modern worship buildings
• Corporate Membership Required: Budget for corporate membership dues as a requirement of receiving a grant
• Wixamtree Option for Bedfordshire: Churches in Bedfordshire have access to additional funding through Wixamtree Trust grants administered by BHHCT, potentially allowing multiple grants
• Volunteer-Run Organization: Understanding that the Trust is entirely volunteer-run with no paid staff helps set appropriate expectations for response times and processes

References

1. Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Historic Churches Trust official website - www.bedshertshct.org.uk
2. “Applying for a Grant” - https://bedshertshct.org.uk/Apply
3. “Grants awarded by BHHCT” - https://bedshertshct.org.uk/apply-for-grants/grants-awarded/
4. “Supporting and celebrating churches and chapels since 1991” - https://bedshertshct.org.uk/about-us/
5. Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1005697, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1005697
6. National Churches Trust - Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Historic Churches Trust profile, https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/support-organisations/bedfordshire-and-hertfordshire-historic-churches-trust
7. Wixamtree Trust - “Application Process and Forms” - https://wixamtree.org/application/
8. Heritage Funding Directory UK - "Beds & Herts Historic Churches Trust" - https://www.heritagefundingdirectoryuk.org/directory/beds-herts-historic-churches-trust/