We are able to consider applications for grant funding for any church, chapel or meeting house used as a place of public worship.

Buildings completed less than 50 years ago are not eligible, unless there are special circumstances.

Grants cannot be given for work that has already been started or is due to start before the date of the relevant meeting.

Grants are available for feasibility studies, option studies, scoping out and investigative works relating to repairs and new work as described below.

Repairs

We can fund repairs, for example

• Restoration, upkeep and maintenance of fabric
• Heating and lighting repairs or replacement
• Repairs to pipe organs, bells, clocks and internal monuments, windows
• Churchyard walls, monuments and footpaths
• Drainage
• Architect’s fees (excluding VAT) incurred as part of a completed project

New Work

OHCT is able to fund new work as well as repairs, providing such work maintains the historical integrity of the building, contents and environment. New Work is only supported if all essential repairs have been completed or are in hand.

• Toilets, kitchens and utility areas
• Disabled access
• New floors and stairs in towers e.g. for ringing chambers
• Electrical work
• Sound systems
• Security systems
• Pipe or electronic organs
• Vestries and storage areas
• Architect’s fees (excluding VAT) incurred as part of a completed project

We cannot fund

Although we do our best, we cannot support work in respect of the following;

• Routine maintenance unless identified as part of the QQ inspection or work that is urgent where further delays may result in significant deterioration of the fabric of the building.
• Work that has already started.
• Removal or replacement of pews.
• Liturgical re-ordering e.g. nave altars and platforms.
• Church or parish halls, Car parks.
• Buildings less than fifty years old.

THIS IS THE INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE GRANT APPLICATION

• Name/Address of Applicant and phone number Your role at the church
• Name of Church; Parish or location and post code Class/Grade
• Number on electoral roll (or church membership) Average no. of Sunday service attendees Age of church and points of Architectural interest
• Year of last quinquennial inspection or equivalent Name of architect who did it Nature of work to be undertaken Estimated cost (excluding VAT) and estimated architect’s fee (including VAT) Name and address of architect supervising the work
• Projected start date and projected completion date
• Whether the work is to be undertaken in phases If so, the details of the work to be undertaken in the phase for which the application relates Estimated cost of this phase (excluding VAT) Completion date of this phase
• Funds currently available Amount likely to be raised in the parish (excluding the funds currently available)
• Details of any contact with the Diocesan Advisory Committee or similar and whether a certificate has been granted (C of E only)
• Are all outstanding priority repairs identified in the last quinquennial survey or equivalent completed, in hand, or are part of the application. New work is only supported if all essential repairs have been completed. If not you should discuss with your Area Representative.
• Whether your church/chapel/meeting house is a corporate member or the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust and whether it participates in the annual Ride and Stride event
• Confirmation that your PCC is in agreement for the application to be submitted to OHCT
• You will also be asked to include the latest PCC accounts and photos of the church for the application to be considered in full.
• A copy of the tender, quote or other document on which the estimated costs are based should be included.