Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust

The Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust, founded in 1982 by local stakeholders, is dedicated to preserving the long-term fabric, curtilage, and essential facilities of 14 medieval Church of England churches on Romney Marsh in Kent (Diocese of Canterbury) and one in East Guldeford, Sussex (Diocese of Chichester), all south and east of the Royal Military Canal. Rooted in values of stewardship, community collaboration, heritage safeguarding, and accessibility, the Trust ensures these unique architectural and historical assets continue serving cultural and spiritual roles, blending physical conservation with educational outreach like school workshops, heritage tours, and community mosaics projects.

It funds capital grants for structural repairs, roof and window restoration, monument conservation, basic facilities upgrades, interior redecoration, and preventative maintenance, alongside occasional support for church-tied educational activities fostering local heritage awareness. Beneficiaries are exclusively Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) of these specific churches, prioritizing urgent needs with greatest community and heritage impact.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered PCCs within the defined locality; no unsolicited applications from other entities, larger charities, or outside areas. Typical grants range from £1,000 to £10,000, occasionally up to £26,000. Applications, requiring detailed work descriptions, quotes, and professional recommendations, are submitted by email ahead of the annual March Council meeting for decisions; no rolling deadlines or online portal.

The Trust excludes core costs, revenue funding, non-church projects, or anything beyond its hyper-local scope, distinguishing it as the UK's sole dedicated funder for these irreplaceable Marsh churches, run by unpaid volunteer trustees maximizing heritage impact without trading activities.