Despite continuing difficult times and social distancing requirements, the Trust’s officers met (virtually) to dispense grants to churches in need of seed-corn funding to kick start a project, or to supplement successful community fund-raising campaigns.
A sum of £119,000 was allocated to 12 churches to support the modification, maintenance, repair and protection of their historic buildings. Alongside its traditional and continuing function as a place for dedicated worship, increasingly the church building is becoming a centre for community and extra-mural activities. The Trust is delighted to support this trend which contributes to the continued existence and utilisation of these remarkable buildings.
The Grade II* listed church of St Michael and All Angels at Clifton Hampden was awarded £22,000 for the re-roofing of the building and repair to the windows. The origins of the church are C12, but it was rebuilt by George Gilbert Scott in 1842.
Two churches were awarded grants of £20,000: Kidlington Methodist Church (1932) for the refurbishment of the main worship space, replacement of the obsolete central heating boiler, all the toilets, disabled access improvements, and the addition of a new vestibule; the Grade II* listed church of Holy Trinity, Nuffield for the removal of pews and organ, and the provision of community facilities.
The C12 church of St Margaret, Little Faringdon (II listed) was awarded £18,000 to facilitate the re-roofing of the building.
Restored by G E Street in 1856, St Martin at Sandford St Martin (II* listed) was awarded £9,500 for repairs to the tower and porch; St Nicholas, Abingdon (I listed) one of the oldest buildings in the town of Abingdon (c.C12) was awarded £7,000 for urgent repairs to its tower; St Mary’s at Upon (II* listed) was awarded £6,500 for the extension of community facilities; St Helen’s Abingdon (I listed) was awarded £5,000 for roof repairs and modification of its heating system; St Peter’s Wolvercote (II listed) was awarded £4,000 for repairs to the tower; the churches of St Agatha at Brightwell, Chinnor Community Church and St Nicholas, Rotherfield Greys respectively received £3,000, £2,000, £2,000 primarily for roof repairs.
In addition, a sum of just over £2,000 has been awarded to fund the installation of a roof alarm and a sum of £1,600 in the form of emergency grants to St John’s Kidmore End, Holy Trinity, West Hendred, and St John’s Hempton.
Further details can be found by going to Grants Awarded.