Sussex Historic Churches Trust launches new website and logo

The Sussex Historic Churches Trust is delighted to announce the launch of its brand new website and logo.

It’s been many years since the Trust website had a refresh and the new site is aimed at raising awareness of the Trust’s role in helping Sussex churches with repairs and restoration as well as making it easy for places of worship and individuals to get involved in fund-raising.

The Sussex Historic Churches Trust was founded in 1956 to give grants for essential repairs and restoration of places of worship of architectural and historic interest throughout Sussex. The Trust's main fundraising venture is the annual sponsored Ride + Stride which is taking place this year on September 13, 2025.

Chris Whittick, chair of the SHCT said: “Our website is often the first place potential supporters will check before donating, signing up, or getting involved. We recognise the need to help visitors interact more easily with the main areas of our work and mission and it was clearly time for an upgrade.

“We are delighted with the new look and ease of navigating between the various strands of the site. It is now easier than ever to register your church for the Ride + Stride event and it is also easier to find out how to go about submitting a grant bid including a new online grant application form.”

Another improvement is the creation of a new Trust logo. Chris said: “We wanted a logo that reflected the core heritage work that SHCT supports and commissioned StudioMoo, the design company involved in Chichester950, this year’s 950th anniversary of the formation of the Diocese of Chichester and Chichester Cathedral. We were really impressed with how StudioMoo captured our ideas and the result is a fine and striking logo that represents our work.

“We are now ready and excited about what this year will bring and we will be encouraging all the parishes in East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove to get on board this year with Ride + Stride. Once your church is registered for Ride + Stride, you can access your details and level at which it is open to participants and encourage more sponsorship. Don’t forget that 50% of the funds raised by participants will be going to a church or chapel building of their choice!”

Since its foundation, the Trust has assisted more than 500 churches in East and West Sussex. In 2024 alone, £103,000 was awarded to 14 historic places of worship. Chris added: “The more money the Trust receives, the more help it can give! Thanks to the generosity of individuals and churches, the Trust was able to make a number of significant grants to churches in the Diocese this year.”

Forest Row                              £10,000

St Leonards Christ Church    £5,000

South Stoke St Leonard        £6,000

Steyning St Andrew              £12,000

Winchelsea St Thomas         £3,000