Trust awards £57,000 in repair and restoration grants in September
The Trust was delighted to award £57,000 in its latest round of grants including £15,000 to the 12th-century St Mary the Virgin in Clapham, near Worthing.
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 stories’, please visit our news page.
The latest round of grants will play a vital role in maintaining precious places of worship and heritage.
The £15,000 grant to St Mary the Virgin in Clapham will help fund repairs to the bell tower and roof. Churchwarden Maggie Somerset said: “The grant is a massive boost for St Mary the Virgin and will help keep our beautiful 12th-century building watertight and safe from the elements. By helping to fix the roof and stonework, the grant ensures that the church's unique history—including its rare 16th-century brasses, William Morris tiles and ring of the oldest three bells in Britain —is protected, keeping this well-loved building open, warm, and welcoming for the whole community.”
Other grants awarded in September included £7,000 to the Grade I listed St Peter ad Vincula in Folkington, where Phase 2 of a comprehensive restoration programme is under way. The award will help fund repairs to deteriorating stonework and leaded windows in the chancel and nave. Churchwarden Alan Best said: “£7,000 is a very substantial help to us! The works are going well, and this grant will make a real difference to our ability to complete them.”
A £5,000 grant was also awarded to St Thomas-at-Cliffe church in Lewes which is embarking on an ambitious two-phase programme of repairs. The 800-year-old, Grade II* listed church is the most prominent public building in the Cliffe area of Lewes and a popular tourist attraction for both UK and overseas visitors alike. Restoration work will include replacing cracked and slipped tiles, replacing guttering and supporting timbers and general repointing to external stonework and flints. PCC member Peter Varlow said: “Thank you very much indeed for the Trust’s speedy and encouraging response to our application. We’re all delighted and most grateful for the trustees’ support towards the rather large project we’re just starting.”
Further grants were also awarded to: Christ Church Blacklands & St Andrews (£5,000); St John the Evangelist in Bodle Street Green (£4,000); Heathfield Independent Chapel (£5,000); St Nicolas in Old Shoreham (£7,000); St Mary the Blessed Virgin in Sompting (£4,000) and St Andrew the Apostle in Worthing (£5,000).
Each grant represents an invaluable partnership between SHCT and local churches, enabling vital repairs and improvements that might otherwise be out of reach.
Ride + Stride fundraiser!
Looking ahead, parishes are warmly encouraged to support the Trust’s most important fundraising event of the year: Ride + Stride, which takes place in 2027 on Saturday, 11 September. This much-loved event plays a crucial role in making grants like these possible.
All churches can take part, and it’s easy to get involved. All funds raised during Ride + Stride are split equally between the church and the Trust.
How to amend your Ride + Stride details
All churches are encouraged to check their Ride + Stride availability and services on this page - www.sussexhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk/ride-stride/ride-stride-info-for-churches - where you will find full instructions for how to edit details.
