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Sussex Historic Churches Trust
News stories
Binsted parishioners ‘jubilant’ after record £24k grant for St Mary’s
A record-breaking £24,000 grant will help fund an ambitious programme of repairs and restoration at the 12th-century Church of St Mary in the village of Binsted, near Arundel in West Sussex. The grant, awarded by the Sussex Historic Churches Trust, is the largest single grant ever made by the Trust to a parish church and reflects the scale and urgency of the work facing the Grade II* listed building. Among the most pressing concerns are repairs to the church’s 13th-centur
May 26
Trust awards £40,000 in repair and restoration grants in April
The Sussex Historic Churches Trust (SHCT) has awarded £40,000 in its latest round of grants in April including a record-breaking £24,000 to the 12th-century Grade II* listed St Mary’s in Binsted. Grants from the Trust play an invaluable role, countywide, in helping churches carry out essential care and conservation of their historic buildings and the grants are often the ‘make or break’ factor in enabling church repairs to go ahead. To read more about earlier church ‘success
May 22
Ancient village church carries out urgent roof repairs supported by Trust grant
A £7,500 grant from the Sussex Historic Churches Trust came just in the nick of time for the 800-year-old, Grade 1 listed church in Salehurst. St Mary the Virgin, originally built by the Cistercian monks of Robertsbridge Abbey, is mentioned in the Domesday Book; the present building dates back to the early 13 th century. The church applied for the Sussex Historic Churches Trust grant as a matter of urgency in December after components of the wooden roof started coming lo
Mar 18
Statue back to former glory in Lewes
The spectacular statue of St Michael the Archangel that adorns the tower of St Michael’s Church in Lewes has been reinstated after extensive repair work. The 2.4m-high work was created by acclaimed British sculptor Harry Phillips who settled in the town in his later years and was a member of the church's congregation. Phillips, who completed numerous large public sculptures in his lifetime, started his career as a wood-carver, furniture-maker, blacksmith and potter. In 1950
Jan 9
Scaffolding finally down at St Peter’s, Brighton
Scaffolding that has enshrouded the tower of St Peter’s Church in Brighton has finally come down after more than a decade. The tower of the Grade II* listed building has been a huge concern for years due to eroding masonry and crumbling stone and rust. Often dubbed Brighton’s cathedral, the church one of the city’s most prominent landmarks and is considered one of the finest examples of the pre-Victorian Gothic Revival style. Restoration work has been going on for more than 1
Dec 31, 2025
Trust helps Grade 1 listed church in South Stoke undertake major roof project
A £6,000 grant awarded to the ancient parish church has helped to fund a major project to re-tile the entire roof. St Leonard’s in South Stoke, near Arundel, was built in the 11th century and has been a sacred place for almost a thousand years. Described on Visit Arundel website as a “hidden gem”, the tiny flint church is situated in one of the most stunning parts of the South Downs National Park overlooking the River Arun. The church has no electricity or water and is l
Dec 24, 2025
Historic church in Warbleton wins £3,000 grant for roof and gutter repairs
The Grade 1 listed church of St Mary the Virgin in Warbleton, which is suffering serious water ingress, has just received a £3k grant from the Sussex Historic Churches Trust.
Sep 23, 2025
Window and render restoration to go ahead at St Peter’s, Westhampnett
The ancient church of St Peter’s in Westhampnett near Chichester has been given a helping hand by the Sussex Historic Churches Trust...
Sep 19, 2025
Sussex Historic Churches Trust gives large grant to St Mary the Virgin in Ninfield
The 800-year-old church of St Mary the Virgin in Ninfield has been awarded an £8,000 grant by the Sussex Historic Churches Trust to help fund vital repairs to the parapet gutter and tower woodwork.
Sep 19, 2025
Major roof restoration for All Saints, Danehill
The beautiful Grade 2-listed church in Danehill in East Sussex is set to enjoy a major roof restoration thanks in part to an £11,000 grant from the Sussex Historic Churches Trust.
Aug 18, 2025
Art bonus for Lewes Ride + Striders!
A real treat is in store for Ride + Stride participants who head to Lewes and surrounding villages on September 13 this year as the...
Aug 18, 2025
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