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GRANTS

Grants

Introduction

Dorset Historic Churches Trust exists to help conserve places of Christian worship of all denominations in the administrative county of Dorset, which are open for public worship.

The intention of Grant aid is to assist in the sympathetic repair of historic churches and chapels, or the historic fittings therein, to a standard that their architectural value merits and to ensure their continued use by the communities they serve.

Any cases of exceptional merit or need will be considered for our support if funds are available.

Any church wishing to apply for grant aid should contact their Deanery Area Representative for advice and assistance. A list of their contact details is here. Should you be uncertain about which DAR to contact, please send a message to either [email protected] or to [email protected]  asking for their details. We have recently updated our Grant Application form to enable applicants give us a clearer idea of their church's finances. The new Application form can be found here . All completed forms must be sent to your Deanery Area Representative.  Applications for the second cycle of 2024 are invited by Friday 24 May to allow due time for consideration. 

Recent awards 

At their meeting on 14 March 2024, the Trustees were very pleased consider applications from 8 churches, which was a welcome increase after a period when few had been applying. This year's grant budget is £125,000 and the Trustees awarded a total of £47,500 to the 8 applicants, in sums ranging from £12,000 to £2,500. 

Beer Hackett - St Michael Towards general repairs £5,000

Church Knowle - St Peter Towards roof repairs £12,000

Okeford Fitzpaine - St Andrew Towards reordering £5,000

Owermoigne - St Michael Towards quinquennial repairs and facilities £8,000

Stoke Abbott - St Mary Towards roof repairs £5,000

Weymouth - Holy Trinity Towards electrical repairs £5,000

Worth Matravers - St Nicholas of Myra Towards roof repairs £5,000

Wraxall - St Mary Towards roof repairs £2,500

Recent payments  

While there is much happiness in a church when they learn that the Trust has granted them funds towards a much-needed project, it is the day of the pay-out that is more important! The Parish Organiser completes the Draw-down form here sends  it with a certificate from the architect or building surveyor stating that the work for which funds were granted has indeed been done, to the Deanery Area Representative, who checks that all is in order before triggering the BACS payment process. During  2023 the Trust granted a total of £101,000 to only 11 churches in sums ranging from £12,000 to £1,500. So far in 2023, the Trust has paid out grants totalling £76,000 to 14 churches. For more details of actual payments please turn to the News page. The Trust exists for this sole function and, as you can see from the table of grants awarded below, there are more payments in the pipeline.         

Conditions

Conditions for Grant aid

Dorset Historic Churches Trust exists to help conserve places of Christian worship of all denominations in the administrative county of Dorset.

The intention of Grant aid is to assist in the sympathetic repair of historic churches and chapels, or the historic fittings therein, to a standard that their architectural value merits and to ensure their continued use by the communities they serve.

Any cases of exceptional merit or need will be considered for our support if funds are available. A statement of the types of work which we are able to support and those that regrettably we cannot can be found here.  Please note that we are not able to contribute towards VAT, which can often be re-claimed on Listed Buildings, or towards professional fees. Applications are to be submitted on a Dorset Historic Churches Trust application form, with audited financial accounts attached, to the Deanery Area Representative of the Trust in the area in which the Church is located.

A grant cannot be made for repairs started or carried out before the application has been approved by a meeting of the Trustees, except where prior permission has been explicitly given by the Trust. This is obtained by contacting your Deanery Area Representative.

All projects must demonstrate need and a well thought-out approach, backed by professional advice and have the necessary permissions.

Our Grants normally only cover a modest proportion of the cost of repairs, and the church or chapel is expected to make a substantial contribution or to obtain grant-aid from other sources such as the Erskine Muton Trust Fund. Grants will be paid following completion of the works, on submission to the Treasurer of a receipted bill or Architects completion certificate.

The Trust reserves the right to refuse or delay payment where doubt exists over the completion of the works to a satisfactory standard.

Preference for the allocation of Grants will normally be given to applicants with a past record of support for the Trust though gifts or taking part in the annual Ride + Stride fund-raising event.  

Recent Grants Awarded 


2023

October
SteepleSt Michael and All AngelsRepairs to roof15,00026/10/23
BroadweySt NicholasRepairs to window surrounds10,00026/10/23
Chaldon HerringSt NicholasGeneral repairs following Quinquennial Inspection 15,00026/10/23
Lyme RegisSt Michael and St GeorgeRepair stonework around windows5,00026/10/23
June
SiltonSt NicholasTowards re-plastering of roof interior 10,00029/06/23
Compton ValenceSt. Thomas BecketRepair to damaged leaded window1,00029/06/23
ChilfromeHoly TrinityTowards waterproofing of bell-cote6,00029/06/23
Glanvilles WoottonSt Mary the VirginTowards re-roofing after storm damage 8,00029/06/23
March
ShillingstoneHoly RoodReplace north aisle roof covering and lead guttering 12,00016/03/23
Canford MagnaParish ChurchReplace all halogen lighting with LED lamps and drivers4,00016/03/23
Wyke RegisAll SaintsReplace defective terne-coated steel roof covering 15,00016/03/23
Total for 2023 101,000

2022

December
WarehamLady St MaryProvision of soakaways to prevent damp and settlement of walls 6,00015/12/22
Iwerne MinsterSt. MaryUrgent repairs to rainwater goods to prevent leaks onto reordering work 6,00015/12/22
October
Stock GaylardSt BarnabasReplace all electrical cabling and lighting 5,00026/10/22
AshmoreSt. NicholasRoof repairs12,00026/10/22
Wimborne NewboroughSt. JohnRepairs and re-roofing2,50026/10/22
Okeford FitzpaineSt AndrewToward repairs to unsafe electrics 5,00026/10/22
ChetnoleSt PeterRepairs to leaking roof5,00026/10/22
June
Okeford FitzpaineSt AndrewTowards replacing flooring and moving the font6,00022/06/22
Fifehead MagdalenSt. Mary MagdaleneFurther help replacing ceiling plaster1,50022/06/22
PimperneSt. PeterTowards roof repairs (subject to List B approval9,00022/06/22
RadipoleSt AldhelmTowards roofing materials5,00022/06/22
Worth MatraversSt NicholasTowards a general repair project11,00022/06/22
Lytchett MinsterLytchett MinsterTowards a facilities project7,00022/06/22
BroadweySt NicholasRepairs to Bell Tower and guttering10,00022/06/22
March
MotcombeSt MaryTowards replacement of rotted floor9,00009/03/22
Sixpenny HandleySt MaryTowards roof repairs6,00009/03/22
North PoortonSt. Mary MagdaleneTowards re-roofing8,00009/03/22
Buckland RipersSt. NicholasTowards roof repairs5,00009/03/22
Total for 2022 119,000

2021

October
StourpaineHoly TrinityTowards urgent roof repairs1,50026/10/21
West LulworthHoly TrinityTowards re-roofing the north aisle5,00026/10/21
Tarrant GunvilleSt. MaryTowards urgent waterproofing3,00026/10/21
June
Langton MatraversSt GeorgeRe-pointing of tower3,00022/06/21
WitchamptonSt Mary and St Cuthberga and All SaintsRepairs to bell tower roof4,00022/06/21
WeymouthHoly TrinityRepairs to Warrior window7,50022/06/21
ShaftesburySt JamesRestoration and repair of window and stonework1,00022/06/21
ShapwickSt BartholomewInstall facilities (tea kitchen and lavatory)6,00022/06/21
AffpuddleSt LaurenceRepairs to tower and roof3,00022/06/21
Frome St QuintinSt MaryRoof repairs6,00022/06/21
Fifehead MagdalenSt. Mary MagdaleneRepairs to plaster ceiling5,000Subject to progress of the project22/06/21
BatcombeSt Mary MagdaleneRoof repairs6,00022/06/21
March
HolnestChurch of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryRepairs to roof and windows3,00009/03/21
Blandford ForumSt. Peter and St. PaulRepairs to roof10,00009/03/21
CheselbourneSt. MartinReplace lead on roof5,00009/03/21
Milton AbbasSt JamesRe-roofing repairs 4,00009/03/21
OborneSt Cuthbert Old Chancel (CCT)Repairs to roof3,50009/03/21
BridportUnitarian Chapel in the GardenRepairs to exterior walls 3,00009/03/21
WeymouthSt PaulRepairs to roof7,00009/03/21
Worth MatraversSt NicholasReplace roof tiles and re-point walls 6,00009/03/21
Total for 2021 92,500

2020

October
BradpoleHoly TrinityTowards repairs to stained glass windows4,00027/10/20
Tarrant HintonSt. MaryTowards replacement of corroded electrical trunking and wiring 4,00027/10/20
Over ComptonSt MichaelTowards replacing lead flashings and re-pointing 2,50027/10/20
Wimborne NewboroughSt. JohnTowards replacement of defective wiring and light fittings with LED lighting 4,50027/10/20
Wimborne St GilesSt. GilesTowards major repairs to roof 6,00027/10/20
Enmore GreenSt. John EvangelistTowards repairs to roof of tower and south roof3,50027/10/20
Gussage St MichaelSt MichaelTowards extensive repairs to roofs of tower and chancel12,00027/10/20
MoretonSt. NicholasTowards re-decoration of lime-washed walls inside the church 1,00027/10/20
June
North PoortonSt. Mary MagdaleneTowards guttering repairs1,00023/06/20
HawkchurchSt John the BaptistTowards facilities (disabled loo and hospitality unit)5,00023/06/20
Stoke AbbottSt MaryTowards asbestos replacement and air-source heat pump12,00023/06/20
ChilfromeHoly TrinityTowards urgent water-proofing 3,00023/06/20
PuddletownSt.MaryTowards water-proofing 7,00023/06/20
February
LillingtonSt MartinTowards roof repairs10,00025/02/20
LodersSt. Mary MagdaleneTowards repairs to the bellframe1,00024/02/20
LongburtonSt JamesTowards facilities and store room5,00024/02/20
West OrchardSt LukeTowards repair to roof1,50024/02/20
Sturminster MarshallSt. MaryTowards repairs to tower and window 7,00024/02/20
Whitchurch CanonicorumSt Candida and Holy CrossTowards repair to the tower 5,00024/02/20
PrestonSt AndrewTowards repairs to roof5,00024/02/20
Lyme RegisSt Michael and St GeorgeTowards repairs to roof and gutters10,00024/02/20
Winterborne KingstonSt. NicholasTowards repair to the roof3,00024/02/20
Total for 2020 113,000

2019

October
UplodersMethodistFor disabled access2,00028/10/19
ChickerellSt. MaryTowards re-slating the nave roof5,00028/10/19
ShaftesburySt PeterTowards repairs to stonework around windows5,00028/10/19
PortlandAll SaintsTowards urgent repair to stonework around windows18,00028/10/19
June
WimborneMinster Church of St CuthbergaTowards new lighting 12,00028/06/19
Toller PorcorumSt. Andrew & St. PeterTowards replacing lead 12,00028/06/19
CorscombeSt MaryRestoring plaster work5,00001/06/19
HolnestChurch of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryFor essential internal repairs10,00001/06/19
Lytchett MatraversSt Mary the VirginFor safer access to the tower1,00001/06/19
Burton BradstockSt. MaryRepairs to the south transept window10,00001/06/19
CranborneSt. Mary and St. BartholomewHelp towards completing facilities1,00001/06/19
February
Milton AbbasMilton AbbeyFor leadwork to prevent water ingress3,50001/02/19
KingstonSt. JamesFor treatment to painted glass windows3,00001/02/19
Pilsdon CommunitySt MaryFor improved ventilation and removal of damp4,00001/02/19
DurwestonSt. NicholasTowards roof repairs3,00001/02/19
YetminsterSt AndrewTowards tower repairs12,00001/02/19
Total for 2019 106,500

2018

October
Tarrant MonktonAll SaintsFurther help with repairs to the roof5,50001/10/18
MotcombeSt MaryFor help towards re tiling and gutter repairs6,00001/10/18
TolpuddleSt. John the EvangelistRewiring (Using previous grant for roof) with the previous grant from 2016 now being carried forward for a further 3 years for this new project10,00001/10/18
Iwerne MinsterSt. MaryFor help towards the stone floor project7,50001/10/18
PoyntingtonAll SaintsTowards repairs to the vestry roof stone tiles.4,00001/10/18
West LulworthHoly TrinityReplace timber spirelet and repair stone gutter and gable coping.6,00001/10/18
Winterborne SticklandSt. MaryReplacing flawed electrics and heating.11,00001/10/18
Pamphill (Kingston Lacey)St. StephenTowards replacing dangerous heating (Grant returned not eligible)01/10/18
Sydling St. NicholasSt. NicholasInstallation of a new boiler2,00001/10/18
ShaftesburySt JamesFor help with replacing lighting2,00001/10/18
June
Winterborne HoughtonSt. AndrewTowards re-wiring and new heating7,0005,000NCT Partnership grant01/06/18
UpweySt. LaurenceTowards installation of kitchenette and lavatory5,00001/06/18
Tarrant MonktonAll SaintsTowards waterproofing of the roof2,5005,000NCT Partnership grant01/06/18