The Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £130,253 (approximate annual expenditure)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000 (plus discretionary Cornerstone Grants)
• Decision Time: Twice yearly (April and October)
• Geographic Focus: County of Herefordshire only
• Founded: 1954

Contact Details

Website: www.hhct.co.uk

Email: derohans@btinternet.com

Phone: 01531 641955

Key Contacts:

• Chairman: David Furnival
• Email: david.furnival13@gmail.com
• Phone: 01531 641955 / 07831 333360

• Grants Secretary: John Handby
• Email: john.handby@btinternet.com

• Treasurer: Stephen Cheetham
• Email: sbcheetham@gmail.com
• Phone: 01531 641829 / 07825 369761

Overview

The Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust (HHCT) was founded in 1954 with the mission of “helping churches to help themselves.” For over 70 years, the Trust has provided financial support for the preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement, and conservation of Christian churches of all denominations within the County of Herefordshire. Operating with 8 trustees and 10 volunteers, the Trust generates income through fundraising events including the “Music in Quiet Places” concert series, church crawls, open gardens, and coffee mornings. Since its formation, the Trust has distributed hundreds of thousands of pounds in grants to help with essential repairs and maintenance.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Investigative Grants: Up to £1,000 - For investigating problems such as damp ceilings or structural issues
• Project Grants: Up to £10,000 - For repairs, renovations and re-ordering projects
• Cornerstone Grants: Discretionary amounts - For churches of great historical merit or serving as community hubs
• Interest-Free Loans: Up to £10,000 - Occasionally offered in appropriate circumstances

Priority Areas

• Christian churches (including Cathedrals, Abbeys, Minsters, Priory Churches)
• Chapels and buildings used for Christian public worship
• Church monuments, fittings, fixtures, and stained glass
• Church furniture, ornaments and chattels
• Items in churches or churchyards
• All Christian denominations eligible

What They Don't Fund

• Churches outside the administrative boundaries of Herefordshire

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Governance and Leadership

Joint Presidents (ex-officio):

• Rt. Revd. The Bishop of Hereford
• Edward Harley CBE, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Hereford

Key Trustees:

• David Furnival (Chairman)
• The Venerable Canon Derek Chedzey (Archdeacon of Hereford, Vice-Chairman)
• Stephen Cheetham (Treasurer)
• John Handby (Grants Secretary)
• Ali Haydn Jones (Membership Secretary)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through the “New Grant Application” form available on www.hhct.co.uk. Contact John Handby (Grants Secretary) at john.handby@btinternet.com or David Furnival (Chairman) at david.furnival13@gmail.com for application support.

Decision Timeline

Grants are awarded twice yearly in April and October. Churches should submit applications well in advance of these decision points.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Churches that have previously received grants may apply again for different projects. The Trust maintains long-term relationships with churches across Herefordshire.

Application Success Factors

• Clear demonstration of need: Particularly for investigative grants, clearly articulate the problem and why investigation or work is necessary
• Community value: Highlight community activities and the church's social impact beyond worship services
• Historical significance: Emphasize the architectural or historical merit of the building
• Financial planning: Show other fundraising efforts and demonstrate how the HHCT grant fits into overall project financing
• Local engagement: Participate in Trust events like “Music in Quiet Places” concerts to build relationships with trustees

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Strict geographic requirement: Only churches within Herefordshire's administrative boundaries are eligible
• Staged approach available: Start with an Investigative Grant (up to £1,000) to assess problems before applying for larger Project Grants
• Community hub advantage: Churches serving as community centers may access discretionary Cornerstone Grants beyond the standard £10,000 maximum
• All denominations welcome: Explicitly supports Christian churches of all denominations, not just Church of England
• Direct contact encouraged: With accessible trustees and clear contact details, reach out before applying to discuss your project
• Twice-yearly decisions: Plan applications around April and October award cycles
• Relationship building matters: Engage with Trust events and become part of the Herefordshire church network

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Friends of Essex Churches Trust
• The Devon Historic Churches Trust
• The Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust
• The Northumbria Historic Churches Trust
• Francis Coales Charitable Foundation
• The National Churches Trust
• The Friends of Kent Churches
• Charity of John Marshall
• The Suffolk Historic Churches Trust
• Churches Conservation

References

• Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust official website: www.hhct.co.uk
• The Charity Commission Register: Charity Number 511181, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/511181
• National Churches Trust Funder Directory: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/support-organisations/herefordshire-historic-churches-trust
• HHCT Grants and Loans page: https://www.hhct.co.uk/grants-and-loans-made-2/
• HHCT Contact Us page: https://www.hhct.co.uk/contact-us/