The Suffolk Historic Churches Trust

Charity Number: 267047

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M
Geographic Focus: Suffolk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately £200,000-250,000
  • Success Rate: 82% (40-50 awards from ~49 applications annually)
  • Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (approx. 3-4 months between meetings)
  • Grant Range: £3,000 - £20,000
  • Geographic Focus: Suffolk only

Contact Details

Address: Brinkleys, Hall Street, Long Melford, Suffolk CO10 9JR

Email: shct@btconnect.com

Phone: 01787 883884

Website: www.shct.org.uk

Overview

Established in December 1973 through the inspiration of the 11th Duke of Grafton, alongside key figures Jill Ganzoni, Norman Scarfe (one of Suffolk's most eminent historians), and Alfred Williams of Haughley Park, The Suffolk Historic Churches Trust has become the county's leading independent funder for church building preservation. Since its launch, the Trust has distributed the equivalent of ten million pounds (in today's money) to help with the repair and maintenance of Suffolk's historic places of worship. The charity is controlled by a Board of Trustees with separate sub-committees for Grants, Ride and Stride fundraising, and Finance. Each year, the Trust helps between 40 and 50 places of worship of all denominations and ages, awarding grants four times annually. The Trust operates with a clear mission: “preserve the fabric of the churches.” Funding comes primarily from legacies and the annual Suffolk Churches Ride and Stride Day fundraising event, which in 2023 raised a record £252,133. No trustees receive any remuneration, ensuring all funds support the charitable mission.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Quarterly Grant Rounds (£3,000 - £20,000 per grant)

  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis with quarterly decision meetings
  • Meeting dates for 2026: January 5, April 13, June 29, October 19
  • Applications must be submitted at least 3 weeks before the meeting date
  • Recent rounds: October 2024 awarded £95,350 across 17 grants; January 2025 awarded £59,000 across 11 grants; April 2025 awarded £52,000 across 9 grants

Priority Areas

The Trust funds four main categories of work:

Category A - Fabric Repairs: Roofs, walls, windows, stonework, tower repairs, re-tiling

Category B - Liturgical Reordering: Electrical work, flooring, heating systems (including chandeliers), lighting improvements

Category C - Accessibility and Facilities: Installation of toilets, kitchenettes, disability access improvements, CCTV systems, historic churchyard walls and lychgates (emergency repairs only)

Category D - Conservation: Professional consultation support, conservation of wall-paintings and stained glass

Eligible organizations: Churches, chapels, and meeting houses of all denominations including Church of England, Methodist, Quaker, and other Christian denominations

What They Don't Fund

  • Furnishings
  • Monuments
  • Organs
  • New buildings or extensions
  • Redecoration (unless part of an eligible larger project)
  • Work that has already started before application submission (normally)
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Governance and Leadership

Patron: Clare Countess of Euston (Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk)

President: Geoffrey Probert DL (Chairman of Trustees)

Vice Patrons: Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich; Bishop of East Anglia

Board of Trustees (13 members):

  • Geoffrey Thomas Carwardine Probert DL (Chair)
  • Charles Boscawen
  • John Devaux DL
  • David Gould
  • Loudon Greenlees
  • David King (Hon. Treasurer)
  • Mary Luxmoore-Styles
  • Jamie Norman (Hon. Education Officer)
  • Nicholas Pearson OBE
  • Tony Redman
  • Simon Ronan
  • Rachel Sloane (Hon. Publicity Officer)
  • Sarah Caroline Turnbull

Key Officers:

  • Jill Taylor (Hon. Secretary)
  • Helen Read (Assistant Secretary)

The Trust is supported by numerous Vice Presidents including Alan Barker, Ray Bedwell, Martin Favell, Judith Foord, Patrick Grieve, Lady Julia Henniker, Diana Hunt, Clive Paine, Robert Rous DL, Simon Tennent, Roy Tricker, Christina van Melzen, Robert Williams, and Mary Wolton.

The Trust operates from a part-time staffed office in Long Melford.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Download the application form (available in PDF or Word format) from the Grants page at www.shct.org.uk/grants
  2. Download and read the accompanying Guidance Notes carefully
  3. Submit completed application at least 3 weeks before the quarterly Grants Committee meeting
  4. Allow extra time when bank holidays intervene, as submissions may be required earlier

Application Format: Written application form submission via email or post

Contact for Queries: Applications are reviewed before meetings, and the office will contact applicants if any queries need to be sorted out prior to the meeting

Decision Timeline

  • Quarterly Meetings: Four times per year (2026 dates: January 5, April 13, June 29, October 19)
  • Submission Deadline: At least 3 weeks before meeting date
  • Review Process: Applications are reviewed before the meeting, with queries addressed in advance
  • Decision Cycle: Approximately 3-4 months between decision points
  • Notification Method: Direct contact from the Trust office following committee decisions

Success Rates

During 2024-5, the Grants Committee considered 49 applications from across Suffolk and awarded grants to 40-50 places of worship, representing an approximate 82% success rate. Recent rounds have been particularly successful:

  • October 2024: 17 grants awarded (described as a “record number”)
  • January 2025: 11 grants awarded
  • April 2025: 9 grants awarded

Reapplication Policy

No specific public information is available regarding reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants. Churches with unsuccessful applications should contact the Trust directly at shct@btconnect.com or 01787 883884 to discuss their situation and guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Eligibility is Fundamental:

  • Church or chapel must be within the County of Suffolk
  • Must be “in regular use as a place of worship” (this is consistently emphasized)
  • Building should be of “architectural or historic interest”
  • Must be “accessible to the public”
  • Church must face a shortfall of funds to complete the project
  • Church must demonstrate ability to raise remaining funds needed
  • Work normally must not have started prior to application submission

Recent Successful Projects (2024-2025):

The Trust has funded a diverse range of projects including:

  • Tower repairs (Blaxhall St Peter, Polstead St Mary)
  • Window repairs and stonework (Coddenham St Mary, Lt Saxham St Nicholas, Ipswich St Helen)
  • Kitchen installations (Felixstowe Trinity Methodist)
  • Re-ordering projects with WC and kitchen facilities (Gt Cornard St Andrew)
  • Porch windows (Gt Finborough St Andrew)
  • Heating systems (Hadleigh St Mary chandeliers, Leiston Quaker Meeting House)
  • Roof re-tiling (Wixoe St Leonard)
  • Repairs to woodwork, walls, and porches
  • Improved lighting

Denominational Inclusivity: Recent awards demonstrate the Trust's commitment to all denominations, with successful applications from Church of England parishes, Methodist churches, and Quaker Meeting Houses.

Demonstrating Financial Need: The Trust specifically looks for churches facing a “shortfall of funds” - applications should clearly demonstrate the funding gap and how SHCT's grant will help bridge it.

Project Readiness: While work should not normally have started, projects should be well-planned with other funding sources identified or secured.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • High success rate (82%) makes this a strong prospect for eligible Suffolk churches with genuine need
  • All denominations welcome - recent awards include Church of England, Methodist, and Quaker buildings
  • Submit early - applications need at least 3 weeks before quarterly meetings, more during bank holidays
  • Eligibility is critical - must be in Suffolk, in regular use for worship, architecturally/historically interesting, and publicly accessible
  • Maximum £20,000 per grant - recent awards ranged from £3,000 to £12,000
  • Four opportunities per year - quarterly meetings provide multiple chances to apply
  • Demonstrate financial shortfall clearly and show how remaining funds will be raised
  • Do not start work before applying - this is a key requirement that can disqualify applications

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