As work started on St Peter’s, Woolhampton, so further issues came to light including the fact that the bell frame was rotten and the bells were at risk of crashing down on to the congregation below. With a huge fund-raising drive, supported by the congregation and the BHCT amongst others, works were completed in 2020 (photograph courtesy of Catherine Lovell)

Between 1988 and 2022 the Trust gave over £700,000 in grants varying in size from £200 to £10,000.

Our objective is to raise funds to help with the cost of repairs to the fabric of Christian churches in Berkshire of any denomination belonging to or in association with ‘Churches together in England’. We also aim to encourage churches to make use of their buildings for the benefit of the community at large if this can be achieved without compromising the architectural quality of the church.

Grants may be given for works to the structure (roof, walls, floors, windows, doors, towers and spires, and bell frames), re-plastering, redecoration as a result of urgent repair work, roof alarms, heating and lighting, kitchens and toilets, monuments inside churches, and infestations in pews and choir stalls. We will consider giving grants towards the initial costs of drawing up plans and surveys needed in order to go forward for permission and to start fund raising. We may also give grants towards churchyard walls and lychgates if they are of architectural or historical significance.

Grants are not normally awarded for bells, organs or reordering unless we are given specific funds for that purpose.