Could This New Funding Help Save Historic Churches at Risk?
- Jun 8
- 4 min read
The Government has recently announced the opening of three heritage funding programmes worth a combined £48 million, aimed at repairing historic buildings, supporting places of worship, and bringing neglected heritage assets back into sustainable use.
You can read the full announcement here:
For many people, this may sound like just another funding announcement. For some of the churches I work with, however, it could make a world of difference.
As an inspecting architect and conservation architect, I regularly visit churches facing significant repair challenges. Some are already on the Heritage at Risk Register. Others are considered to be in a vulnerable condition, the stage immediately before a building is added to the register. In almost every case, the issue is not a lack of care or commitment from the congregation. The challenge is finding the resources needed to tackle increasingly expensive repairs.
The announcement is particularly significant because it follows several challenging years for the heritage sector. Many churches will remember the closure of previous grant schemes that provided vital support for repair and conservation projects. More recently, the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which allowed places of worship to reclaim VAT on eligible repair and maintenance works, has been reduced and capped, creating additional financial pressure for congregations already struggling to fund essential repairs.
Against that backdrop, this new funding is especially welcome. While it will not solve every challenge facing historic churches, it represents a renewed recognition of the importance of these buildings and the need to invest in their future.
What Funding Is Available?
The Government has announced three separate funding streams:
Places of Worship Renewal Fund
The largest allocation, £23 million, is aimed specifically at listed places of worship. The fund is intended to support urgent repairs, improve accessibility, enhance community facilities and help secure the long-term future of these buildings.
For many churches, this could provide an opportunity to address repairs that have been deferred for years due to a lack of funding.
Heritage at Risk Capital Fund
A further £15 million has been allocated to support buildings that are on the Heritage at Risk Register or otherwise at significant risk of deterioration. The fund prioritises projects that deliver wider public and community benefits alongside conservation work.
Heritage Revival Fund
The remaining £10 million is intended to help bring neglected historic buildings back into active use, supporting projects that provide cultural, social, commercial or community benefits.
Why This Matters
Historic churches are particularly vulnerable because they are often maintained by small groups of dedicated volunteers responsible for buildings that may be several centuries old. They are caring for roofs, towers, rainwater goods, masonry, stained glass and timber structures that require specialist skills and materials to repair properly.
Many of the defects I encounter start out relatively small. A slipped slate, a leaking valley gutter, defective leadwork or blocked rainwater goods may not appear urgent at first. However, when left unresolved, these issues can quickly lead to water ingress, timber decay, internal damage and much more extensive repair projects.
In recent years, I have noticed increasing concern among PCCs and churchwardens about how major repair projects will be funded. Rising construction costs, inflation, the reduction of VAT relief, and the loss of previous grant opportunities have all made project planning more difficult. As a result, many churches have found themselves postponing repairs despite knowing that delays often lead to higher long-term costs.
This is why funding programmes such as these are so important.
For some churches, this could provide the means to finally undertake long-needed repairs. For others, it could unlock wider projects that improve accessibility, create community facilities and help secure a sustainable future.
Having worked on projects that have successfully removed buildings from the Heritage at Risk Register, I know first-hand how transformative timely investment can be. Repairing the fabric is only part of the story. The real achievement is ensuring that these buildings continue to serve their communities for generations to come.
Funding Alone Is Not Enough
One lesson I have learnt from working on grant-funded projects is that successful applications rarely happen overnight.
The strongest projects are usually those that are prepared. They understand the significance of their building, have identified the most urgent repair priorities, have reliable cost information, and can clearly explain the benefits that the project will deliver.
This preparation often includes:
Up-to-date condition surveys
A clear understanding of the building's significance
Prioritised repair schedules
Realistic cost estimates
A long-term maintenance strategy
A vision for how the building will continue to serve its community
In other words, funding may be the catalyst, but preparation is what turns opportunity into reality.
Looking Ahead
If you are responsible for a historic church or heritage building, now may be a good time to review its condition and start planning ahead. Whether funding becomes available this year or in the future, those organisations that are ready are often the ones best placed to benefit.
Historic churches are far more than old buildings. They are landmarks, community spaces, places of worship, repositories of local history and an important part of our shared cultural heritage.
This latest funding announcement is a welcome recognition of that value and an opportunity to secure the future of some of the buildings that need it most.
For those caring for churches in vulnerable condition or on the Heritage at Risk Register, it may also represent something equally important: hope.
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