The Church Commissioners manage the Church of England’s historic assets and resources, primarily through its endowment fund, which includes property, equities and other financial investments. Their goal is to support the Church’s ministry, especially in areas of need and growth.
In November 2023, they announced £9 million to help parishes with repairs and specialist advice. This includes £2.8 million for Church Buildings Support Officers to guide on building management and repairs, and £6.2 million for grants up to £12,000 for urgent repairs. These grants, part of the £11 million Buildings for Mission fund, aim to prevent larger future costs.
The Church of England website offers detailed step-by-step guidance on how to make changes to you church building, including advice on how to raise funds and how to fill in applications for funding.
Church roofing contractors
At West Country Tiling 40% of our roofing projects are ecclesiastical work. As a result, we work with church wardens, diocese and trusts. Many of whom have received financial support towards their roof repairs or complete reroof from the Church Commissioners or other grant schemes.
We recently completed work on the chancel and vestry of the St Michael and All Angles Church in Puriton, Somerset. A small Grade I listed church constructed from local blue lias stone with a natural slate roof. This work was paid for with funding from the Church Commissioners.
Over the last 35 years we have worked on 100s of church roofs. Ecclesiastical work is our forte and our craftsmen have vast experience in working on all styles of church roofs using many different types of materials. Church roofs of historical importance that our team have completed include:
- The Chancel of the Church of the Holy Cross in Babcary, Somerset
- The Grade I listed nave at St Peter’s Church in Hornblotton in Somerset
- The dramatic Quarr Abbey on the Isle of White
- The Grade II* All Saint’s Church in Binfield, Berkshire
- The Grade I listed St Sampson’s Church in Wiltshire
- The lottery funded work on St Nicolas Church in Newbury, Berkshire
- All of the churches that make up the Parish of Three Saints in Somerset
Church roof repair funding
If you are in need of funding for reroofs, repairs, or maintenance of church roofs, there are a number of funding sources, including:
- Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme provides grants to cover VAT on repairs to listed buildings used as places of worship. This includes repairs to the building’s fabric, professional fees and repairs to bells, pews, turret clocks and pipe organs. The funding for the scheme was increased in 2012 up to £42m, this budget has now been confirmed until 31st March 2025.
- Places of Worship Fund provides grants towards VAT on eligible costs for listed churches, synagogues, mosques and temples. This includes works to the roofs, masonry and monuments. The Scheme is run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and managed by EMB Limited. It is funded until 31 March 2025.
- National Lottery Heritage Grants provides grants from £10,000 to £10 million to support communities caring for places of worship. Grants from £10,000 to £10million are available through the National Lottery Heritage Grants programme to support communities caring for places of worship of all faiths.
- National Churches Trust provides grants to help churches with their projects. Whether you are looking to repair your roof, install a kitchen or accessible toilets, clear asbestos or simply need help undertaking regular essential maintenance to your building, they offer a range of grants to suit the size and needs of your project.
- Church Fabric Fund provides grants to churches in the Diocese of Coventry towards the costs of work to their church buildings. This fund will continue in this way until 31st December 2024 and they hope to launch the new scheme in December 2024 with the first deadline for applications being 15th January 2025.
Why choose West Country Tiling
We take great pride in being expert church roofing contractors, experienced in carrying out reroofs, roof repairs and roof maintenance on church roofs throughout the South West of England. Please contact us on 01373 462 224 or by emailing us on info@westcountrytiling.com.