Large Grants Programme for Church Building Conservation (UK)

Deadline: 07-Jul-2026

The Large Grants Programme supports Christian places of worship in the United Kingdom by funding major structural repairs and community-use improvements such as kitchens and accessible toilets. Eligible churches can receive up to £50,000, but funding will not exceed 50% of total project costs, and applicants must have already secured at least 50% match funding before applying.

Overview

The Large Grants Programme helps conserve and improve church buildings across the UK.

It supports projects that:

• Protect historic and community church buildings

• Fund urgent building repairs

• Improve accessibility

• Increase wider community use of church spaces

This is one of the largest church building grant opportunities in the UK for major capital works.

What Does the Grant Fund?

The programme supports two main types of projects:

1. Major Structural Repair Projects

The fund prioritizes urgent structural repairs where the total project cost is more than £80,000 including VAT and fees.

Examples include:

• Roof repairs

• Stonework or masonry repairs

• Tower or spire repairs

• Structural stabilization

• Repairs to attached building elements

2. Accessibility and Community Use Improvements

The programme also funds projects that help churches become more useful and accessible to the wider public.

Eligible works include:

• Installing a kitchen

• Installing an accessible toilet

To qualify, these projects must cost more than £30,000 including VAT.

Grant Amount and Funding Rules

The programme offers grants of up to £50,000.

Key funding rules:

• Grants never exceed 50% of the total project cost

• Applicants must have already raised at least 50% of the total budget

• Grants between £40,000 and £50,000 are limited

• Higher awards are reserved for projects with a very strong case for investment

Simple Funding Example

• If your project costs £100,000, the maximum grant is £50,000

• If your project costs £90,000, the maximum grant is £45,000

• If your project costs £150,000, the grant still cannot exceed £50,000

Who Is Eligible?

Applications are open to listed and unlisted Christian places of worship from any denomination across the United Kingdom.

To be eligible, the applicant must meet all of the following:

• The building is a Christian place of worship

• It is listed or unlisted

• It is located in the UK

• It holds at least six public worship services per year

• The applicant owns the building or has the legal right to carry out the work

• The building was originally built as a place of worship

• The building is more than 30 years old

• The proposed work relates directly to the building or attached structures

• The building is open to the public for at least 100 days per year beyond worship use, or there is a plan to meet this after project completion

• At least 50% of the project cost has already been raised

• The project is led by a qualified professional

• If the building is listed, the professional must have conservation accreditation

• All permissions and consents are already in place

• The project has not started

• The applicant has a safeguarding policy

Why This Grant Matters

Many churches in the UK are both places of worship and community assets.

This programme matters because it helps churches:

• Repair aging or damaged buildings

• Protect heritage structures

• Improve accessibility for more people

• Create facilities for community events and public use

• Make church buildings more sustainable in the long term

In short, the grant supports both heritage conservation and community development.

Key Eligibility Terms Explained

To make the rules easier to understand:

Urgent Structural Repairs

These are major repairs needed to prevent further damage or preserve the building’s structural integrity, such as roof, wall, tower, or masonry works.

Match Funding

This means the grant does not cover the full project cost. The programme funds up to 50% only, so the church must secure the remaining amount from other sources.

Community Use

This means the church building is used by the public for activities beyond worship, such as meetings, local events, support services, or outreach programmes.

How to Apply

The application process starts with an eligibility quiz.

Applicants must answer “yes” to every question to move forward.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Check your project type

   • Structural repair project must cost more than £80,000

   • Kitchen or accessible toilet project must cost more than £30,000

2. Confirm building eligibility

   • Make sure the church meets all age, ownership, worship, and public access requirements

3. Raise at least 50% of the budget

   • You must secure at least half of the total project cost before applying

4. Appoint a qualified professional

   • Listed buildings require a conservation-accredited professional

5. Secure all permissions

   • This may include:

     • Governing body approval

     • Planning permission

     • Listed building consent

     • Faculty consent

6. Make sure work has not started

   • Projects already underway are not eligible

7. Have a safeguarding policy in place

   • This is a required condition

8. Complete the eligibility quiz

   • You must answer yes to every question to proceed

What to Prepare Before Applying

Before starting the application, prepare:

• Project description

• Full project budget including VAT and fees

• Proof that 50% funding is already secured

• Cost estimates or professional quotes

• Building ownership or legal authority documents

• Public access evidence or future access plan

• Details of worship use

• Professional advisor details

• Conservation accreditation proof (if listed)

• Planning and church permissions

• Safeguarding policy

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

• Starting the project before applying

• Applying without 50% match funding secured

• Missing permissions or consents

• Using an ineligible project budget

  • Structural works must be over £80,000

  • Kitchen/toilet works must be over £30,000

• Not proving public access beyond worship

• Not appointing the correct professional for listed buildings

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

To improve your chances:

• Clearly explain why the repair is urgent

• Show how the project will increase community use

• Demonstrate strong public benefit

• Provide a realistic and well-documented budget

• Highlight the heritage value of the building

• Make a strong case if requesting £40,000–£50,000, as these awards are limited

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the maximum grant available?

The maximum grant is £50,000, but it will never exceed 50% of the total project cost.

2. Can the grant cover the full project cost?

No. The programme is a match-funding grant, so applicants must already have raised at least 50% of the total project budget.

3. What projects are eligible?

Eligible projects include:

• Urgent structural repairs costing more than £80,000 including VAT and fees

• Kitchen and accessible toilet projects costing more than £30,000 including VAT

4. Are both listed and unlisted churches eligible?

Yes. Both listed and unlisted Christian places of worship in the UK can apply, as long as they meet all eligibility conditions.

5. Does the church need to be open to the public?

Yes. The building should be open for at least 100 days per year beyond worship use, or there must be a plan to achieve this after the project.

6. Can we apply if work has already started?

No. The project must not begin before the application is submitted.

7. What is the first step in the application process?

The first step is the eligibility quiz, and applicants must answer yes to every question to continue.

Conclusion

The Large Grants Programme is a major UK funding opportunity for churches seeking support for urgent structural repairs, heritage conservation, and community-use improvements.

If your church building is over 30 years old, needs significant repair or accessibility upgrades, and already has 50% of project funding in place, this programme could provide up to £50,000 to help protect the building and expand its community value.

For more information, visit National Churches Trust.