Worcestershire & Dudley Historic Churches Trust

Introduction

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The Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust [WDHCT] seeks to award grants toward the preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement, upkeeep or beautification of any Christian Church within the geographical area of the Diocese of Worcester or the county of Worcestershire. The second objective of the Trust is the education of the public in the history and architecture of churches.

How the Trust can help

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Grants may go towards the large and small scale restoration of historic buildings of all periods including twentieth century, including roof and wall repairs, rewiring or archaeological investigation, as well as the conservation of ancient or more modern features including stained glass, wall paintings and monuments. There are exceptions such as work on organs and bells, which the Trust cannot assist, but in the first instance requests for grants should be discussed with the Secretary, who will advise on whether the project meets the criteria, forward an application form for completion, and explain the Trust’s procedure for making a grant. Further advice on other potential sources of funding is also available.

The Trust has limited funds and is able to make grants generally under £3000 towards projects. These can be of great help in contributing to funds raised on applying for large grants from major funding bodies or make the difference between completing a small project or leaving it on hold. Decisions on grants are made provisionally at the Trust’s quarterly meetings, and confirmed following a satisfactory site visit by a trustee. The grant can normally be held for a maximum of twelve months, and payment will only be made following receipt of an interim architect’s certificate or appropriate invoice.

Lecture on Collegiate Churches

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Collegiate Churches

An illustrated lecture by Paul Jeffery took place at St Mary's Parish Church, Elmley Castle (WR10 3HT) at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21st October.

Proceeds were sent to the Worcestershire & Dudley Historic Churches Trust, the Art Fund (Worcestershire), and St Mary's Church Elmley Castle.

Paul Jeffery is from Hampshire and the author of 'The Collegiate Churches of England and Wales' which was first published in 2004. The book is a fascinating survey of about 150 churches which were at the heart of medieval colleges of priests. Some of these churches such as Beverley Minster or Ottery St Mary are now deservedly celebrated for their fine architecture and furnishings. However, medieval colleges are less well-known as institutions than monasteries, yet several have associations with important historical characters. Many were dissolved in the sixteenth century, but some academic colleges and colleges of vicars survived, as did the famous royal college of St George Windsor. Only one collegiate church is to be found in Worcestershire at St Mary's in Elmley Castle. It is fitting that this lecture to explain the role of these colleges and the unique history and architecture of collegiate churches should have be given in this beautiful medieval church to which a college of priests was attached from 1308 to 1545.

Opening Doors - Discovering Local Churches

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A detail from the Estopp monument in Alfrick Church

These notes are intended as guidelines and suggestions to help with preparing information for visitors. We hope they give some interesting ideas but they are just a starting point. They can be developed over future years as time and resources allow.

~ Begin by asking yourself questions about what interests you about your own church, and what you like to show people is a good means of getting underway. It is helpful to arrange any notes about what to see from a starting point at the entrance or where the information is to be available.

~ Explore what needs some explanation to make clear the basic facts; How old is it? What was added when? What are the functions of the features and spaces?

~ Thinking laterally from the available evidence, and what it says about the building and life in a particular period will make for the most interesting stories. Every church will have more substantial pieces of evidence from particular periods, such as Norman or Georgian, in which case it also becomes important to draw out information on the not so obvious, eg; the earlier Saxon churches on the site, or the pre-Reformation interior, or what is medieval masonry and what is Victorian.

~ The human story is always easy to relate to; What do we know of characters connected to the church from the different periods such as patrons, clergy, or interesting people buried in the church or graveyard? Is there any historical evidence of the role of local people on an everyday basis, such as a schoolroom, choir, bellringing, details from parish registers etc?

Some ideas for a checklist of what to include

Introduction

~ Pointers to the different parts of the building and their functions; nave and chancel as basic, but also tower, porch, vestry etc. Clues as to how the building has evolved, starting at earliest or most obvious part. The listing description (if the church is listed) may help; most of these can be seen on the English Heritage website Images of England at www.imagesofengland.org.uk

~ Dedication

~ Context of church; in village, isolated but with humps and bumps from deserted village, on a country estate, in a Victorian suburb etc

Early church origins and the history of the site

~ Location significance; e.g. near river crossing, crossroads etc

~ Evidence of pre and early Christian use; well or spring, yew trees, circular churchyard, Roman remains, prehistoric finds or remains

~ Saxon church; physical or documentary evidence

Norman Church

~ Architecture; windows, doorways, arches, buttresses, masonry

~ Sculpture; arches, font, carved panels; compare to other examples, may link to Herefordshire School of Sculpture

~ Place in village; link to manor house, castle, Norman Marcher Lords, historical evidence

Medieval church

~ Architecture; windows, doorways, arches, tower, porch, roofs; material stone or timber

~ Furnishings and evidence of medieval worship; screen, pews, pulpit, lectern, chest, chantry chapel, churchyard cross, font, stoup, stained glass, wall paintings, floor tiles, plate, bells, anything in archives e.g; psalter

~ Memorials; link to wealthy influential people. Stone or brass?

Reformation, Civil War and after

~ Adapting the medieval building for different worship style; furnishings, pupit, lectern, pews, communion rail, communion table, plain walls and painted inscriptions, plain glass, galleries, musical instruments

~ Evidence of worship and life; bells, plate, bible, registers and other documentary evidence of people including recusancy and non conformity, poor relief, clock

~ Civil War damage, new building or repairs, use of brick

~ Memorials; inscriptions, links to people and places

Victorian

~ Restoration or rebuilding; Gothic Revival or Arts and Crafts style, materials used, architect and builder

~ Furnishings and evidence of worship; layout, font, pulpit, lectern, screen, altar, organ

~ Decoration; stained glass, tiles; known designers

~ Memorials; personalities, evidence clergy, trades and professions from inscriptions, longevity or infant mortality, churchyard

~ Benefactors; local landowners or industrialists

~ Village life and church setting; church school, vicarage, almshouses etc

Present Day

~ Current use; worship, community use, adapting for modern needs; disabled access, WCs, heating

~ Evidence of worship; Modern furnishings, layout, new artworks, eg Millenium

~ Modern buildings; ecumenical use

~ Memorials; more recent personalities

~ Preservation, conservation and restoration

Where to find further information....

Archaeology;

Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service can provide soom tools and pointers.

1. Apply by 1st August for a 100m search of the Historic Environment Record around your church. the information will be provided as a print out of the known archaeological finds and a series of maps, including the first edition of the Ordnance Survey map. These can be incorporated into an exhibition (subject to copyright).

2. Staff at the Service will be pleased to discuss the findings with you, perhaps with a site visit.

3. Suggest that parishioners collect together any local finds of artefacts that they think might be of historic interest and staff will try to identify them - a small piece of broken pottery may open up a whole new chapter in the history of the parish.

Contact the Historic Environment Record, Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service, Woodbury, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ. tel; 01905 855494, email; matkin@worcestershire.gov.uk

Dudley Historic Environment Record for archaeology in Dudley. Contact the Historic Environment Team, Development and Environmental Protection, Directorate of the Urban Environment, 3 St James Road, Dudley, DY1 1HZ. Tel; 01384 814190, www.dudley.gov.uk

History

Worcestershire Library and History Centre has a wealth of reference books on Worcestershire, as well as photographs, local maps, directories and newspapers to look up further information on your church and parish. There is also access to historic material such as parish registers and church documents for more detailed research. Contact the Worcestershire Library and History Centre, Trinity Street, Worcester, WR1 2PW; tel; 01905 765922 email; WLHC@worcestershire.gov.uk

Dudley Archive and Local History Service, at Mount Pleasant Street, Coseley, WV14 9JR. Tel 01384 812770, www.dudley.gov.uk for historical material relating to places within Dudley borough.

For an initial idea of what may be available, a look at the website designed to give a national index to archives, Access to Archives at www.a2a.org.uk might give some interesting documents, but is worth revisiting regularly as more material is entered onto the database.

Books and References;

~ Old guidebooks and local history or photographic books on the church and parish, village or town, but beware of inaccuracies which can be perpetuated. there may be lots of new interesting facts not recorded in these sources but which can be uncovered using the resources above.

~ Local history groups are worth talking to as they may have done much of the groundwork already, and be able to offer useful pointers on what else to look at saving time and resources. Many local groups have interesting websites.

~ Victoria County History volumes on Worcestershire and Staffordshire, now also available online at www.british-history.ac.uk

~ Books on churches such as Tim Bridges Churches of Worcestershire, Mike Salter Parish Churches of Worcestershire

~ Books on County History and buildings; Pevsner's Buildings of England volumes on Worcestershire and Staffordshire, Arthur Mee's King's England series volumes on Worcestershire and Staffordshire.

~ General church books eg; Richard Taylor How to read a Church or Stephen Friar A Companion to the English Parish Church

Tim Bridges

March 2007

Introduction

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Welcome to the Church Pictures archive. If the church you are looking for does not appear as you scroll down the page, please use the SEARCH BLOG box at the top left of the page. Alternatively, click on 'older posts' at the bottom of each page until you reach the church you are searching for.

Not every church is represented here, and those without a denomination specified in the caption, are Anglican buildings. Pictures of the churches in the City of Worcester will shortly be posted to this website.

These images are for private research only and may not be published in any form.

Useful links

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Victoria County History for Worcestershire
Follow links to the Online Victoria County History for Worcestershire. The VCH includes the history (and often pictures) of churches in each parish.
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/

Worcestershire History Centre
Although The History Centre is aimed at family historians, there are also sources available for some local history research. The History Centre holds microfilm and microfiche copies of Worcestershire records and sometimes for surrounding counties as well as some national records. Selected sources relevant to church history include:
Local maps
Trade and clerical directories
Local newspapers.
Parish and non-conformist records
Wills and other probate records
Cemetery and crematoria records
The Worcestershire Photographic Survey
http://worcestershire.whub.org.uk/home/wcc-records-history-centre

Worcestershire County Record Office (WCRO) – County Hall Branch
This is where original records are to be found, where parochial papers can be accessed, and where all the material held by the WCRO as the Diocesan Record Office, is kept.
http://worcestershire.whub.org.uk/home/wcc-records-head-quarters

Burney Drawings
A superb online picture gallery of the pen and ink drawings of eighteenth century artists E. F. & T. F. Burney, which includes many pictures of Worcestershire churches.
http://worcestershire.whub.org.uk/home/wccindex/wcc-records/wcc-records-burney-watercolours.htm

Church Plans Online
The Incorporated Church Building Society was founded in 1818 to provide funds for the building and enlargement of Anglican churches throughout England and Wales. It was the principal voluntary Society for promoting the building and restoration of churches throughout the most active period of church building since the Middle Ages. The ICBS archive was deposited in Lambeth Palace Library between 1974 and 1990.

The archive includes over 15,000 files relating to applications by parishes for grants from the Society. Some 12,300 plans are included in these files which, in some instances, are the only surviving evidence for the layout of the church before restoration. Where the church has since been demolished, it may be the only extant plan.
http://www.churchplansonline.org/

National Monuments Record
The National Monuments Record (NMR) is the public archive of English Heritage. In the archive they hold over 10 million historic photographs, architectural and archaeological reports, plans and other items related to the historic environment of England. The NMR staff can help people interested in their local history, or those with a more general interest in the history of England.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1530

National Churches Trust
http://www.historicchurches.org.uk/

The Chapels Society
seeks to foster public interest in and knowledge of the architectural and historical importance of all places of worship and their related structures in the United Kingdom, loosely described as Nonconformist.
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/chapelsoc/

The Ecclesiological Society
A website which includes a very useful list of organisations relating to church buildings
http://www.ecclsoc.org/organisations.html

Request.org.uk
An educational website aimed at key stages 2,3 and 4 (14+), but full of interesting information about church buildings of all denominations.
http://www.request.org.uk/main/churches/churches.htm

Building Conservation
A website published by © Cathedral Communications Limited. Most of the articles on this website are reproduced from past editions of The Building Conservation Directory and Historic Churches
http://www.buildingconservation.com/index.htm

Building History
This site provides an overview of sources for all types of ecclesiastical buildings
http://www.building-history.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Church/

Parish Mouse
This site contains transcriptions of a number of parish registers, historical books and directories. All the transcriptions have been made from the original books. Many parishes also have a photo album of the church and graves; Worcestershire is particularly well covered.
http://www.parishmouse.co.uk/worcestershire

Become a Friend (and/or make a donation)

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The area covered by the WDHCT boasts over 300 beautiful historic churches which are not only at the heart of their community, but are, in addition, a treasure trove, preserving the history and heritage of that community. They also have a wider importance to the development of the nation; they are part of the fabric of England and must no be allowed to decay and deteriorate. Today, many congregations cannot afford the upkeep of these lovely buildings and the responsibility must be shared by those who believe that our churches encapsulate our heritage.

The Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust is dedicated to preserving these important buildings and we need your help to continue our vital work.

We would like to invite you to become a Friend of the Trust. This is a simple and effective way of supporting our work and in return we'll keep you informed about our achievements, and invite you to join our tours and social gatherings.

If you would like an application form/bankers order form please email: wdhct[at]yahoo.co.uk (replacing [at] with the @ symbol) and we will send you one [please state whether you would like it in pdf form or sent by post]

Our churches are too important to our history and heritage to be allowed to slip into decline. Please help us in our work to preserve these beautiful buildings for today and for future generations.

WDHCT Patrons, Trustees and Constitution

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Patrons

Mr Michael Brinton, Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire.
Lord Sandys, Mr John Berkeley
The Right Reverend Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester
The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham
The Right Reverend David Walker Bishop of Dudley
The Reverend John Howard Chair of Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District Methodist
Church
The Reverend William H. Anderson
Chair of Birmingham District Methodist Church

Trustees

Chairman
Tim Bridges

Secretary
John Davies

Treasurer
Mrs Jean Crabbe

John Bailey

Tim Bridges
John Colley

Sam Driver White

Richard Foot
Andrew Grant

Annette Leech
Richard J Slawson

Michael J. Wall

Bankers:

Lloyds TSB Bank plc Malvern
Barclays Bank plc Droitwich (Cycle Ride Account)

Independent Examiner: R T Barnes Worcester

Constitution: Trust Deed Dated 21 October 1993 as amended by a Deed of Variation Dated 23d November 2005

Objects:
1. The preservation repair maintenance improvement upkeep or beautification of any Christian church within either the Church of England Diocese of Worcester or the County of Worcester.

2. The Education of the public in the history and architecture of churches.

Trustees:
New Trustees are appointed by the serving Trustees. The total number of Trustees shall not exceed eleven. There is a sub Committee for the running of the Cycle Ride that has one member who is not a Trustee. There is also a sub Committee for the arrangement of events. Decisions are made by the Trustees at their quarterly meetings. Administration is carried out between meetings by the Secretary in accordance with guidelines agreed from time to time.
The Trust is affiliated with the Historic Churches Preservation Trust (Registered Charity Number 207402).

Policy:
The Trust has no permanent endowment and distributes the income. Apart from the reimbursement of some expenses no payments are made to Trustees.
During the year we approved provisional grants to 17 Churches totalling £34,400 of which £2,000 was on behalf of the Manifold Trust. We paid out £29,000 and a further £12,500 was paid by the Manifold Trust. A further 15 authorised grants remain to be paid totalling £28,400.

GRANT APPLICATIONS

All requests for grants must be made through our Secretary who, providing the project meets our criteria, will forward an application form for completion. A considerable amount of information is requested both in relation to the scope and specification of the project, and the profile and financial position of the parish. Applications are considered at the quarterly Trustee meetings when provisional grants are agreed, and then confirmation of the grant is subsequently given following a satisfactory visit to the church by a Trustee.
The grant reservation is normally held for a maximum period of twelve months, and payment will only be made following receipt of an architect’s interim certificate or an appropriate invoice.

Chairman's Report 2008

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This is my first report in the Chair of the Trust. It is a great privilege to be able to serve the historic churches, chapels and meeting houses of Worcestershire and Dudley in this way. We are able to make grants to assist with repairs of a wide variety and thus act to help to keep these buildings at the heart of their communities both as much needed places of worship and reflection as well as familiar and important features in the townscapes and countryside. Our work is always challenging. Many churches find it increasingly difficult to keep open, functional and in good repair. The current economic climate has brought much uncertainty, and we must continue to give as much support as we can, where and when it is needed. The plight of historic church buildings nationally puts increasing pressure on financial resources and a strain on ever limited grant-making bodies.

Our work can only take place because of the hard work and energy of the trustees and officers. It is a great pleasure to be able to offer my warmest thanks to them for this. 2008 has also been a year of considerable change for the Trust. With great regret, we said farewell to John Lakeman, who after eleven years as Secretary, stood down for family reasons in August. John’s achievements in these years and his contribution to the Trust cannot be overestimated, particularly in establishing the system by which grants are processed and distributed. We shall miss his enthusiasm and knowledge and our thoughts are with him. We welcome and are extremely grateful to John Davies, who has valiantly stepped into the breach as Secretary and ascended a steep learning curve with remarkable speed. Sam Driver White has brought valuable experience and links to other organisations in his years in the Chair and the Trust has benefited greatly from his guidance. We are pleased that since standing down from the Chair, he has willingly continued to offer his services as a trustee. We also welcome Steve Dowling, who is seconded to assist with fundraising and promoting the work of the Trust and are very pleased that Jacci Hunt has taken on the role as Minutes Secretary. I am particularly grateful to our Treasurer, Jean Crabbe, for her hard work to keep the finances running so smoothly, whilst all the trustees continue to take a valued part in the work of the Trust and are most generous with both time and expertise.

The Cycle Ride remains our greatest fund raising venture and a huge vote of thanks is due to John Colley and Helen Peberdy for all they do to prepare and distribute material, organise the day in September and follow up afterwards. 2008 also marked the retirement of Frank Brown as Cycle Ride Treasurer, which he has been doing since the earliest days of the project. This marks the end of an era and we are extremely grateful to Frank for all he has done to ensure funds from this event have kept coming so efficiently to support the work of the Trust. We are delighted that Jackie Taylor has kindly agreed to take on this important task. We hope that more people will support the work of the Trust through the Cycle Ride. If cycling is not for you, then contributions on foot and horseback, amongst other interesting modes of getting around are extremely welcome and, of course, sponsoring the participants is a vital role!

Events of 2008 have included two further successful car tours by Mike Wall. Ever popular, these tours give an opportunity to explore some of the churches of our area under expert guidance, before a now legendary tea. Look out for details of the 2009 tours. Sadly, the planned coach tour to Warwickshire churches had be cancelled but we hope this will now take place in 2009 and urge you to give it your support. Exploring the churches of nearby counties is fascinating and gives a chance to see what is being done in historic churches outside our area, which might act as inspiration for our own work. In October, Annette Leech and I led a walk around some of the historic places of worship in Evesham. It proved to be a journey of discovery in the variety of architectural styles and atmosphere to be found in just one historic town centre. We were made very welcome everywhere we went and we look forward to a visit to Tenbury Wells next October. There are some fascinating buildings and remarkable stories to tell, so please join us for a day out with a difference. Further details of these and other events are posted on our website http://worcestershirechurches.blogspot.com/. We are most grateful to Annette Leech for all she does to enhance and update this site. There is a wealth of useful and interesting material in there. Aside from much useful information on the work of the Trust and sources of funds, you can view historic pictures of local churches and find links to other useful websites.

Four times a year, I attend meetings in London of the Historic Churches Liaison Group, at which I represent this Trust and those of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire. These meetings and the annual conference hosted by the National Churches Trust, which was in Chester this year, have all shown that the Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust is successful in fulfilling its intended aims. However, there is so much more we can all do to help, by becoming a Friend and encouraging others to do the same, by supporting the Cycle Ride in September and the other Trust events, by making donations, and by considering a bequest. I hope you will enjoy being involved with the Trust and look forward to meeting you during the year.

Tim Bridges

St Mary's Oldswinford

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Over the past two years, the Trust has given two grants totalling £6,000 towards essential stonework and roof repairs to this important church. The red sandstone used in the construction of many churches in the northern part of the county and diocese is particularly vulnerable, and in common with so many churches nationwide, St. Mary’s has been a victim of the recent spate of lead thefts. This historic parish church in the Stourbridge area – although its parish is now limited to the southern part of the town – is a vibrant place of worship and centre of the community.

The setting of the church retains the sense of the old village with some fine Georgian houses for neighbours, including the Rectory. This is one of few historic parsonages still in use as a clergy house. The medieval battlemented tower has Decorated style bell openings and, until 1982, supported a spire. The nave and chancel were rebuilt in 1843 to the design of Robert Ebbels, and the nave survives as a fine example of a Commissioners’ type church. It contains box pews and a west gallery under the magnificent gothic trusses of the wide span of the roof. The chancel was extended in 1898 by Birmingham architect, J.A. Chatwin, in a splendid Arts and Crafts Perpendicular style. Plans to rebuild the nave never materialised, though the springers for the intended nave arcades can be seen to either side of the tall chancel arch. The style of nave and chancel contrast to create a most interesting interior.

There are fine fittings including the altar with painted panels by Gustav Hiller, showing Christ and a number of saints. A beautiful embroidered Victorian altar frontal is now on permanent display. The east window by Clayton and Bell is a memorial to Mary Webb, whose family went on to establish the garden centre at Wychbold. A south window is a memorial to Robert Grazebrook who was killed on board ship in 1914; it is a colourful pre-Raphaelite style work by William Morris & Co. The Grazebrooks are one of several industrialist families to be commemorated by memorials in this church. Others associated with glass production include Hill and Roger, whilst the numerous tablets to the descendents of Richard Foley reflect the importance of iron manufacture to the town, of which Oldswinford Hospital School founded in 1667 by Thomas Foley, is an impressive legacy.

The Trust is delighted to be able to make substantial grants to assist with the repairs of St. Mary’s to ensure its continued use long into the future, and has been supported in this by the Manifold Trust. This church with its splendid architecture and historical interest deserves, like so many churches in the Worcestershire and Dudley area, to be better known outside their locality. To that end in November 2008, I published a book “Churches of the Black Country” to follow a similar volume on Worcestershire churches. Both books are now available for purchase and a small part of the proceeds from each sale will benefit the work of this Trust.

Tim Bridges

Church Tours in 2008

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In June and July, the usual “Car Crawl” took place, the first featuring Defford, Besford, Birlingham and Eckington where we consumed tea in the village hall nearby. We saw a variety of churches old and not-so-old which we were prevented from visiting by the now infamous floods in 2007. The second crawl started at Belbroughton then led on to Clent and Oldswinford within the town of Stourbridge. It was here that a superb tea was laid on in their large parish room adjoining the church itself. Afterwards, those who were not too tired or full of cakes made for Broome, the smallest Georgian church in the County – perhaps the smallest anywhere and contrasted with the vastness of Oldswinford. Our thanks to all those kind people who greeted us, sold us guide books and in some instances, gave short talks about the church which saved our visitors always listening to me!

Another Study Day was organised, this time in August at Kempsey and Croome d’Abitot. Both these churches are well endowed with fine fittings and monuments and our sixteen “students” were well satisfied – even more so after lunch laid on at the Talbot Inn at Kempsey.

The Tim Bridges – Annette Leech partnership of Town Walks flourished again with a repeat of Annette’s “Dissenters’ Way” Worcester tour, also in August, which encompassed Pump Street Methodist Church, the Sansome Walk Baptist Church, the Salvation Army Citadel, the Roman Catholic Church of St. George and the Friends’ Meeting House nearby. A wonderful variety and much enjoyed. Another venue in October featured churches in Evesham, starting at St. Mary’s & St. Egwin’s Roman Catholic Church, fine and superbly looked after. Following on, we visited the original-looking Oat Street Unitarian Chapel of 1737, delightfully situated behind an arch and a small graveyard. Then the Friends’ Meeting House with its simple interior and lovely rear garden complete with a metallic sculpture. Then on to the much rebuilt Baptist Chapel nearby. The busy afternoon was completed by tea in the Evesham Parish Room after visits to the two large parish churches nearby – a unique combination for our County, more akin to the stranger parts of Norfolk. Regrettably, the Coach Tour had to be cancelled owing to insufficient bookings.

Mike Wall

Trustee

Sources of funding other than WDHCT

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The Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust can only provide modest grants, but if appropriate, your application will also be passed for consideration to the National Churches Trust – see below. In addition to your own parish fundraising efforts, you might wish to explore some of the other possible sources of funds.

THE NATIONAL CHURCHES TRUST (NCT) (formerly the Historic Churches Preservation Trust) founded in 1952, broadly speaking, does on a national scale what the County Preservation Trusts do for their own counties. The criteria for help from NCT are similar to those of the County Trust (WDHCT), although churches must be at least 100 years old. Churches are encouraged to apply first to WDHCT, as above, supplying brief details of the work needed and the funds available. A detailed application form will be then sent by WDHCT for completion and the information provided will, where appropriate, be considered by both organisations. With major projects you could be asked to complete a separate NCT application form. Under NCT’s administrative umbrella is the Incorporated Church Building Society, which also has funds for the repair of Anglican churches, irrespective of architectural quality or age, and for contributions towards the cost of new buildings.

See website: www.nationalchurchestrust.org.uk. Email info@nationalchurchestrust.org
Contact: The Grants Secretary, National Churches Trust. 31 Newbury St, London EC1A 7HU. Phone 020 76006090 Fax 020 77962442

OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDS

LASLETT’S CHARITIES. Laslett’s (Hinton) Charity was created in 1879 and amongst a number of causes specifically provides grants towards the repair and maintenance of Anglican Churches. Grant applications for consideration by the Trustees should be accompanied by a set of accounts for the last three years, details of fundraising activities over this same period, and details of the building project needing funding. (no funds available until 2011)
Contact: I C Pugh/M Barker, Clerk to the Trustees, 4 & 5 Sansome Place, Worcester WR1 1UQ. Telephone 01905 726600

THE HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND / ENGLISH HERITAGE Joint Grant Scheme for Churches and other Places of Worship.
The Joint Grant Scheme has now been extended to include Grade II as well as Grade I and Grade II* Churches. An application pack can be requested for schemes costing between £10,000 and £250,000, and funding priority will be given to urgent high-level structural repairs. The deadline for applications for Grade I & II* churches is June 30th, and for grade II the deadline is 30th September. Your architect must have AABC accreditation.
Contact: The Joint Scheme, English Heritage, West Midlands Region, 112 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 3AG. Telephone 0121 6256854

THE LANKELLYCHASE FOUNDATION. The Trustees will consider giving grants for the preservation of Grade 1 parish churches. Grant Amount maximum £3,000. Application by letter describing the project and its timescale, the financial need, and other sources of assistance. Enclose annual report and accounts. All applicants receive a response. The Trustees meet quarterly but because there is a waiting list, applications are rarely considered within three months of receipt. The applicant may be asked for further information and advised when to write back.
Contact: The Administrator, The LankellyChase Foundation, 2 The Court, High Street, Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire.OX11 0EY.Telephone 01235 820044

THE ALAN EVANS MEMORIAL TRUST. The Trust will consider giving grants for the preservation of religious and secular buildings of historic or architectural interest. Geographical Area UK. No grants for "updating" (ie. installation of modern facilities). Application In writing, outlining the project's history, aims, benefit to local community and breakdown of expenditure. Applications are considered at meetings held three times a year.
Contact: The Alan Evans Memorial Trust. Messrs Coutts & Co, Trustee Department, 440 The Strand, London WC2R 0QS. Telephone 020 77531000

G C GIBSON TRUST. The Trust will consider giving grants for the preservation of religious buildings of historic or architectural interest. Geographical Area UK.Organisations with charitable status and religious establishments only. Grant Amount £1,000 - £5,000. Applicants should write outlining their organisation, the project, and the need for it and should enclose copies of their accounts and any relevant literature(no video tapes). Meetings to consider applications are held annually in December and cheques are distributed to successful applicants in January. The Trust administrators therefore ask that all applications are submitted by October.
Contact: G C Gibson Trust. Touche Ross & Co, Blenheim House, Fitzalan Court, Newport Road, Cardiff CF2 1TS Telephone 029 20481111

IDLEWILD TRUST. The Trust will consider giving grants for the preservation of grade 1 and 2* religious and secular buildings. It will also support projects involving the preservation of their contents, such as furniture and wall paintings and the restoration of organs of historic interest. Geographical Area UK. Organisations with charitable status only. Grant amount £1,000 - £3,000. Application forms and guidelines available on www.idlewildtrust.org.uk. , or by telephoning the contact as detailed below. Trustees meet twice a year, normally May and November. Applications should be submitted eight weeks before the meeting.
Contact: Idlewild Trust,1A Taylors Yard, 67 Alderbrook Rd, London, SW12 8AD. Telephone 020 8772 3155 (Tues or Wed 10am - 4pm)

THE BERNARD SUNLEY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION. The Foundation gives grants to many causes across a broad range of charitable activities. Amongst these are the preservation of religious and secular buildings of historic or architectural interest. Geographical Area UK. Organisations with charitable status only. Amount £1,000 to £2,000 (Funds are at the moment heavily committed.)Application by letter, with audited accounts and project costings. The Foundation notifies successful applicants within four months. It does not inform unsuccessful applicants, but will respond to telephone enquiries two or more months after the application was submitted.
Contact: The Director. The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation, 20 Berkley Square, London W1J 6LH. Telephone 020 74082198

GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION. The Foundation will consider giving grants for the preservation of religious and secular buildings of historic or architectural interest. Amount Varies. Application by letter, which should contain, a synopsis of the proposed project, and details of who will benefit. Enclose a copy the most recent report and audited accounts, the project’s financial plan and information about current and proposed fundraising. Provide details of the history of the church along with a photo, the number of people who use the church and details of any community groups who use the facilities. There is no deadline for applications, which are normally processed within three months of receipt. All applicants are notified of the outcome by letter.
Contact: The Administrator, Garfield Weston Foundation, Weston Centre, 10 Grosvenor Street, London. W1K 4QY. Telephone 020 73996565

THE COUNCIL FOR THE CARE OF CHURCHES. The CCC is able through its eight specialist committees to offer expert advice on conservation matters. They also administer grants from charitable foundations for the care and conservation of historic church furnishings and works of art and in 1999 awarded grants totalling £200,000. The Pilgrim Trust are now channelling their church grants through CCC which will increase to £400,000 the sum available against their established criteria for work to stained glass, organs, bells, clocks, sculpture, wall-paintings, paintings on canvas and wood, books, textiles and other works of art in churches and churchyards.
Send details and a clear colour photograph for initial evaluation and an application form will be sent to cover applications meeting the grant criteria.

The CCC are also administering The Wolfson Foundation grants for the repair of Grade 1 and 2* churches. Application by letter, which should contain a brief outline of the project, including information on the heritage value of the building or church. Enclose a recent photograph, the envisaged benefits and costs, and a copy of the organisation's most recent audited accounts. Applications must be made by the middle of March or the middle of September to be considered at the trustees meeting in June or December.
Contact: Conservation Officer, Council for the Care of Churches, 5th Floor, Church House,Great Smith St, London SW1P 3NZ.Telephone 020 78981000

THE OWEN FAMILY TRUST. Grants are available for the preservation of Christian and secular historic buildings. Geographical Area West Midlands and North Wales. Grant Amount £500 to £25,000. Application by letter describing the project. Applications are not acknowledged unless a stamped addressed envelope is enclosed. Meetings are held quarterly. It may take up to six months to process an application. Unsuccessful applicants are not notified.
Contact A D Owen. The Owen Family Trust, Mill Dam House, Mill Lane, Aldridge, Walsall WS9 0NB. Telephone n/a

THE HEADLEY TRUST. (Part of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts). This Trust gives grants throughout the country for church repairs, particularly for churches in small rural areas showing signs of real growth. Send three years accounts, a parish profile, and details of the project for which the funds are required.
Contact: The Director, The Headley Trust, Allington House, 150 Victoria St, London SW1E 5AE. Tel 020 74100330

THE SHARPE TRUST. This trust provides small grants for work involving church bells. Send your application and details to the grant secretary.
Contact: The Grant Secretary, Miss M Bliss, The Old Bakehouse, Beech Pike, Elkstone, Cheltenham, GL53 9PL. Telephone 01285 821232

DIOCESE OF WORCESTER SITES AND BUILDINGS FUND. This fund is administered by the Diocesan Secretary on behalf of the Diocesan Trustees, and offers loans with a maximum repayment period of five years. The amount of the loan will not exceed 50% of the cost of the work and is normally limited to a maximum of £10,000, although in exceptional circumstances a larger sum can be provided. The loan is interest free for the first two years with a charge of 2% in year three on the outstanding balance, 4% in year four, and 6% in year five. Loan applications will be considered from parishes to help meet the cost of repairs to the fabric of their churches. Repairs are defined as major items of maintenance of the structure of the fabric of the building, and can cover heating, lighting and decoration. This does not extend to the repair or replacement of bells or necessarily to all organs.
Contact: R Higham, Diocesan Secretary, The Old Palace, Deansway, Worcester, WR1 2JE. Telephone 01905 20537.

LANDFILL TAX GRANT’S SCHEME. Essentially all churches within the Worcester Diocese are qualified to receive landfill credits for fabric repairs, although priority is given to environmental projects. The project has to be approved by Entrust, the government body controlling the scheme, and a vital piece of the jigsaw is to get a commitment to your project from a local Landfill Operator. Applications have to be made through an Environmental Body which means that you either have to enrol your PCC (£100 fee), or use one of the existing EBs who act as enablers. The grant scheme is controlled by Entrust and an information pack can be obtained either from website - www.entrust.org.uk - or from
Contact: Entrust Wales and West Office, Suite 6, St Fagan’s House, 5-9 St Fagans St, Caerphilly, CF83 1FZ, Telephone 01222 869492, Fax 01222 865064

Severn Waste Environmental Fund (Landfill Tax Grants Scheme) The fund is managed by “Welcome to our Future” (Local Agenda 21), a community owned charitable company covering Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Projects can be considered for grants providing that they meet the Entrust criteria. It is essential to be able to demonstrate sustainability, a substantial community benefit, and full public access for the foreseeable future. Qualifying projects must be for additional/enhanced community facilities – church fabric repairs are excluded. Grants between £1,000 and £10,000.
Contact: Bill Richardson, Scheme Manager, SWEF, 141 Church St, Malvern, Worcs. WR14 2AN. Tel: 01684-577001. Email: SevernwasteFund@aol.

Wren. If your church is within 10 miles of the landfill site at Rowley Regis you should contact Wren, who are an environmental body, and they allocate the landfill credits of the Waste Recycling Group Ltd. Grants of between £2,000 and £50,000 are available for projects with community benefit, and for church repair projects the normal maximum is £7,500. A funding opportunity for churches in Dudley MBC, and Sandwell MBC
Contact: Wren at 01953-714111 or visit their website www.wren.org.uk

ACCESS AND INVOLVEMENT – Disability Discrimination Act - HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND. For projects of less than £100,000, grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 are available. No minimum partnership funding is needed. To qualify for funding from HLF, applicants will have to show that they meet Heritage Lottery Fund priorities and have already reasonably complied with the DDA requirements for public access, within their own resources. Contact: Chris Tomlin ,Development Manager, Heritage Lottery Fund, Bank House, Cherry Street, Birmingham, B2 5AL. Tel. 0121 616 6870

VAT ADVICE.
1.Listed Churches
(a) On 22nd March 2006 the chancellor extended the VAT rebate scheme to cover all repair work, professional fees, and fixtures and fittings for listed places of worship. The scheme, with the grant covering all VAT levied, has been extended to 31st March 2011. Retain original copies of all receipted repair invoices and contact the following address for a grant application form.
Contact: Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, PO Box 609, Newport, South Wales, NP10 8QD.(www.lpwscheme.org.uk). 0845 6015945

(b)Approved alterations to listed churches are zero rated for VAT, providing that the work is not for the purpose of repair, maintenance, or restoration. Typical zero rated projects could be new toilet facilities, extensions, alterations, and the movement and reconstruction of organs. The reconstruction of a roof or valley gutter could be zero rated providing this work is not part of a repair, and for instance a new drainage scheme could qualify providing this is completely separate from any repair work. A copy of the faculty, evidence of church listing, and a copy of the plans must be given to the supplier/contractor on whom the responsibility rests to ensure that the project correctly qualifies for zero rating. It is not possible to recover the VAT on professional fees in relation to the zero rated element of a project.

2.Relief for People with Disabilities
Work specifically for the disabled could include, voice enhancement/loop systems, ramps, improved access, widening doorways, constructing ramps, providing/extending/adapting a washroom or lavatory. These works can be zero rated if supplied to a body of charitable status when the builder/supplier receives an eligibility certificate from the charity – ask the VAT office for leaflet 701/7 for details and a sample certificate.
Contact: VAT National Enquiry Section. Telephone. 0845 0109000

This page revised on 17 August 2007

Abberley circa 1950

2007-06-04T14:56:00.000Z

Abberley Old Church

2007-06-04T14:55:00.001Z

Abberton

2007-06-04T14:53:00.000Z

Abbot's Morton

2007-06-04T14:51:00.001Z

Alfrick

2007-06-04T14:45:00.000Z

Alvechurch

2007-06-04T14:35:00.001Z

Alvechurch Baptist Church

2007-06-04T14:33:00.000Z

Arley

2007-06-04T14:23:00.000Z

Ashton under Hill

2007-06-04T14:22:00.001Z

Astley circa 1950

2007-06-04T13:05:00.001Z

Astwood Bank

2007-06-04T13:04:00.001Z

Astwood Bank Baptist Church

2007-06-04T13:02:00.001Z

Astwood Bank Wesleyan Chapel

2007-06-04T13:01:00.001Z

Barnt Green

2007-06-04T12:58:00.001Z

Barnt Green Baptist Church

2007-06-04T12:57:00.001Z

Bayton

2007-06-04T12:53:00.001Z

Beckford

2007-06-04T12:48:00.001Z

Belbroughton

2007-06-04T08:45:00.000Z

Belbroughton Bell Hall Chapel

2007-06-04T08:44:00.001Z

Beoley

2007-06-04T08:42:00.001Z

Besford

2007-06-04T08:41:00.001Z

Bewdley St Anne circa 1909

2007-06-04T08:39:00.001Z

Bewdley Friends' Meeting House

2007-06-04T08:36:00.000Z

Bewdley Roman Catholic Church

2007-06-04T08:34:00.000Z

Bewdley Methodist Church

2007-06-04T08:33:00.001Z

Bewdley Elim Church

2007-06-04T08:32:00.001Z

Birlingham

2007-06-04T08:29:00.001Z

Birtsmorton

2007-06-04T08:27:00.001Z

Bishampton

2007-06-03T19:04:00.001Z

Blakedown St James

2007-06-03T19:02:00.000Z

Bradley

2007-06-03T19:01:00.001Z

Bredon

2007-06-03T18:58:00.001Z

Bredon's Norton

2007-06-03T18:56:00.000Z

Bretforton

2007-06-03T18:53:00.000Z

Broadwas

2007-06-03T18:52:00.001Z

Broadway Roman Catholic Church

2007-06-03T18:47:00.000Z

Broadway St Eadburgha

2007-06-03T18:44:00.000Z

Broadway St Michael and All Angels

2007-06-03T18:40:00.000Z

Bromsgrove All Saints

2007-06-03T18:38:00.001Z

Bromsgrove St John

2007-06-03T18:35:00.000Z

Broome

2007-06-03T18:34:00.000Z

Broughton Hackett

2007-06-03T18:30:00.001Z

Bushley

2007-06-03T18:29:00.001Z

Callow End St James Chapel of Ease

2007-06-03T12:58:00.001Z

Callow End Pope Elm Chapel

2007-06-03T12:57:00.001Z

Castlemorton circa 1908

2007-06-03T12:55:00.001Z

Chaddesley Corbett

2007-06-03T12:53:00.000Z

Childswickham

2007-06-03T12:52:00.002Z

Church Lench

2007-06-03T12:52:00.001Z

Churchill (in Oswaldslow)

2007-06-03T12:49:00.000Z

Churchill (in Halfshire)

2007-06-03T12:48:00.001Z

Claines

2007-06-03T12:47:00.001Z

Cleeve Prior

2007-06-03T12:44:00.000Z

Clent circa 1919

2007-06-03T12:00:00.001Z

Clifton on Teme

2007-06-03T11:58:00.000Z

Cofton Hackett

2007-06-03T11:53:00.000Z

Cookhill

2007-06-03T11:52:00.001Z

Cookley

2007-06-03T11:50:00.001Z

Cotheridge

2007-06-03T11:49:00.001Z

Cow Honeybourne

2007-06-03T11:03:00.000Z

Cradley (West Midlands) circa 1919

2007-06-03T11:02:00.001Z

Croome D'Abitot

2007-06-03T11:01:00.001Z

Cropthorne

2007-06-03T10:59:00.001Z

Crossway Green (Bishop's Wood)

2007-06-03T10:58:00.001Z

Crowle

2007-06-03T10:50:00.000Z

Crown East

2007-06-03T10:48:00.000Z

Dodderhill

2007-06-03T10:39:00.000Z

Dodford

2007-06-03T10:36:00.000Z

Dormston

2007-06-03T08:51:00.000Z

Dowles (near Bewdley) circa 1905

2007-06-03T08:49:00.001Z

Droitwich St Andrew

2007-06-03T08:40:00.000Z

Droitwich St Nicholas circa 1906

2007-06-03T08:39:00.001Z

Droitwich St Peter

2007-06-03T08:28:00.001Z

Droitwich Roman Catholic Church

2007-06-03T08:26:00.001Z

Droitwich Methodist Church

2007-06-03T08:19:00.000Z

Droitwich Baptist Church circa 1918

2007-06-03T08:17:00.000Z

Earl's Croome

2007-06-02T12:02:00.001Z

Eastham upon Teme

2007-06-02T11:59:00.000Z

Eckington

2007-06-02T11:56:00.000Z

Eldersfield

2007-06-02T11:55:00.001Z

Elmley Castle

2007-06-02T11:52:00.000Z

Elmley Lovett

2007-06-02T11:51:00.001Z

Evesham St Laurence

2007-06-02T11:25:00.000Z

Evesham All Saints

2007-06-02T11:22:00.000Z

Evesham

2007-06-02T11:19:00.000Z

Feckenham

2007-06-02T11:16:00.000Z

Finstall circa 1913

2007-06-02T11:15:00.000Z

Worcestershire & Dudley Historic Churches Trust

Introduction

How the Trust can help

Lecture on Collegiate Churches

Opening Doors - Discovering Local Churches

Introduction

Useful links

Become a Friend (and/or make a donation)

WDHCT Patrons, Trustees and Constitution

Chairman's Report 2008

St Mary's Oldswinford

Sponsored Cycle Ride 2008

Church Tours in 2008

Sources of funding other than WDHCT

Abberley circa 1950

Abberley Old Church

Abberton

Abbot's Morton

Alfrick

Alvechurch

Alvechurch Baptist Church

Arley

Ashton under Hill

Astley circa 1950

Astwood Bank

Astwood Bank Baptist Church

Astwood Bank Wesleyan Chapel

Barnt Green

Barnt Green Baptist Church

Bayton

Beckford

Belbroughton

Belbroughton Bell Hall Chapel

Beoley

Besford

Bewdley St Anne circa 1909

Bewdley Friends' Meeting House

Bewdley Roman Catholic Church

Bewdley Methodist Church

Bewdley Elim Church

Birlingham

Birtsmorton

Bishampton

Blakedown St James

Bradley

Bredon

Bredon's Norton

Bretforton

Broadwas

Broadway Roman Catholic Church

Broadway St Eadburgha

Broadway St Michael and All Angels

Bromsgrove All Saints

Bromsgrove St John

Broome

Broughton Hackett

Bushley

Callow End St James Chapel of Ease

Callow End Pope Elm Chapel

Castlemorton circa 1908

Chaddesley Corbett

Childswickham

Church Lench

Churchill (in Oswaldslow)

Churchill (in Halfshire)

Claines

Cleeve Prior

Clent circa 1919

Clifton on Teme

Cofton Hackett

Cookhill

Cookley

Cotheridge

Cow Honeybourne

Cradley (West Midlands) circa 1919

Croome D'Abitot

Cropthorne

Crossway Green (Bishop's Wood)

Crowle

Crown East