About Somerset Churches Trust

Somerset Churches Trust is a charitable, environmental trust founded in 1996 under the name Friends of Somerset Churches and Chapels. We work in association with the National Churches Trust. Our Trust is non-denominational and is able to support a wide range of works in buildings that are in use for Christian worship in the historic county of Somerset.

Our aims are to...

Make grants to Christian churches and chapels in Somerset to help meet the costs of repair and works to widen community use.

About our grants

Encourage greater interest and the involvement of all members of the community, whether churchgoing or not, in Somerset’s heritage of fine religious buildings.

Become a member

We raise money with the intention of passing on our income as soon as possible to churches and chapels in need.

In Somerset many buildings are historically important, architecturally interesting or beautiful and often in tiny villages where congregations are sparse. Since the founding of the Trust our support has been given for works involving repair of the fabric of the building, but lately, as the need becomes more urgent for religious buildings to play a greater community role, we have extended our remit to include works that enhance or provide facilities and access.

Over 25 years of support

There are approximately seven hundred places of Christian worship in Somerset and, since its founding the Trust has made more than four hundred and fifty grants totalling over £780,000.

If your church or chapel is in need of repair or improvement of its facilities, we may be able to help! Our case studies give details of some more recent projects the Trust has supported.

View case studies

Our Publications

Please use the accordion below and click on the relevant titles to view available publications.

Jewels of Somerset Stained Glass in parish churches from 1830 by Hugh Playfair. £12.50 + P&P
Keeping Somerset Churches Alive… for worship, pilgrimage, visitors and the community by Hugh Playfair. £5 + P&P

Somerset Churches Trust Annual Report 2019
Somerset Churches Trust Annual Report 2018

Somerset Churches Trust Accounts for y/e 30 June 2020
Somerset Churches Trust Accounts for y/e 30 June 2019
Somerset Churches Trust Accounts for y/e 30 June 2021

By Date of First Visit (Updated to October 2019)
By Location (Updated to October 2019)

Complaints Procedure
Data Management Policy

Meet the team

Meet the people behind the trust, and read about our Trustees. A full list of our patrons, trustees and officers.

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Get involved

The Trust has currently around six hundred active members including individuals, families, churches and organisations. Join us today.

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Join an event

Visits to churches and chapels all over the county, illustrated talks and, of course, our annual fund raising event, Ride+Stride.

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