With news of a recent and challenging project to deliver in Bridgwater, click here to read about our Chairman’s visit to St John’s Church and hear about the fantastic success achieved by the Rev Lis Sparrow. The SCT is delighted to have been able to help secure the fabric of this special place of worship.
A recent photograph of work in progress on the re-shingling of the spire at All Saints, Rockwell Green. The work has been supported by a grant from the SCT and is expected to be completed by the end of March 2022. We look forward to giving a more detailed update on this fascinating project soon here and in our next Newsletter.
Visiting churches continues in our second January Newsletter. Our Chairman, Axel Palmer, journeys to North East Somerset to visit Langridge, Woolley and Upper Swainswick.
For this and other news follow in his footsteps here
A major part of the satisfaction derived from being so closely involved with the work of the Trust is the opportunity to visit so many wonderful churches, not just at the time grant applications are being made but also on completion of the relevant works for which a grant may have been awarded. It is gratifying to witness the positive results of the efforts applied by everybody involved in bringing a project through to a successful conclusion, whether they be the architect, the contractor and of course most importantly the incumbent and their team and their congregation.
Repair work continues to represent the main recipient of our grants and whilst leaking roofs or tower repairs may not be readily visible to the casual observer, their importance to the maintenance of the fabric and the continuing use of the building as a vibrant and uplifting place of worship cannot be ignored. I would particularly like to highlight from recent awards the successful outcome at St John’s, Bridgwater. The church is within a challenging urban environment where until the present incumbent, Lis Sparrow, arrived some six years ago, the congregation had been dwindling and the condition of the church itself was deteriorating. Both lighting and heating were improved through local resources but last year it became apparent that a major failure of the tower roof could no longer be ignored by the judicious distribution of buckets beneath. Lis embarked upon the herculean task of raising in excess of £100k, which she achieved in a matter of a few months and, against the further challenges of the pandemic, the work has recently been completed. Her determination and commitment are an inspiration to us all and it’s pleasing to note that not only is the church now light, warm and dry but is also witnessing a significant increase in its congregation and in the outreach work being undertaken in the local community. The Trust is delighted to have made a contribution to support this project and the work of this church in the local community.
Anthony Sutcliffe – Grants Secretary
We welcome applications from churches and chapels of all denominations for grants towards repairs and improvements to enable wider community use subject to our grant terms and conditions.
Applicants who are not already members of the trust must become members for at least three years in order for a grant to be paid. Grant applications must normally be received one calendar month before the date of the trustees meeting at which the application will be considered.
We are planning a trustees meeting on 28 June 2022 so please submit applications for grants by 27 May 2022 for consideration at that meeting.
For more information, see our Grants page.
We are pleased to announce that grants for roof alarms are now available direct from Allchurches Trust. Allchurches are offering grants of up to £2,500 subject to a maximum of 50% of the cost of the installation. Systems must have the approval of the church insurers and be subject to a five year maintenance contract.
APPLY NOW by clicking on this link to Allchurches website where you will find an Application Form.