Norfolk Churches Trust Limited

Norfolk Churches Trust Limited, founded in 1976 amid threats to Norfolk's historic churches, is a specialist charity dedicated to protecting, repairing, and sustaining churches, chapels, and meeting houses of all Christian denominations in the County of Norfolk and Diocese of Norwich. Spearheaded by the Norfolk Society with a modest £300 loan, it upholds a steadfast mission to preserve these architecturally and historically vital buildings—home to the world's greatest concentration of medieval churches—as communal and worship spaces, viewing them as a generational responsibility. Its values emphasize heritage stewardship, inclusivity across Christian traditions, and hands-on intervention to prevent dereliction and cultural loss.

The Trust funds exclusively urgent structural repairs and essential conservation works, such as roofs (including metal theft recovery), masonry, drainage, weatherproofing, windows, organs, bells, and heritage features in both active parish churches and redundant ones. Beneficiaries are parishes, congregations, and managing bodies facing critical threats, with priority for small rural churches lacking resources; it directly leases and maintains 13 redundant churches, blending grants with active stewardship.

Eligible applicants are Christian places of worship in the specified geography, with preference for smaller entities; no strict income limits apply, but unsolicited applications from any denomination are welcome. Grants typically range £2,000–£10,000 (up to £20,000 rarely), decided biannually by an expert committee. Submit the website's downloadable form by email (grants@norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk) with photos, quotes, permissions, and accounts; next deadline is 25 September 2025, decisions in 4–6 weeks.

It excludes routine maintenance, non-repair projects, or anything outside its geography/Christian focus, distinguishing itself through deep local expertise, voluntary funding model, and direct church management for irreplaceable Norfolk heritage.