Shropshire Historic Churches Trust

Shropshire Historic Churches Trust (SHCT), established in 1991, is a dedicated charity preserving Shropshire’s ecclesiastical heritage through grants for repairing and maintaining churches and chapels of all Christian denominations, prioritizing buildings of architectural or historical significance in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. Its mission focuses on sustainable conservation to keep these sites as active places of worship and community hubs, guided by values of stewardship, denominational inclusion, and safeguarding cultural legacy for future generations. With over 400 grants totaling £1.5 million awarded to more than 200 sites, SHCT emphasizes urgent structural works like roof repairs, masonry stabilization, and watertight measures, alongside essential improvements such as toilets or kitchens to ensure ongoing usability.

It funds capital projects exclusively for fabric repairs, restoration, and maintenance of active Christian worship buildings, supporting Anglican, Methodist, Catholic, and nonconformist chapels in towns, villages, and rural areas. Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, typically parochial church councils (PCCs) or equivalents with limited resources, operating strictly within Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin—occasionally extending to border sites with historic ties. No formal income thresholds apply, but preference favors grassroots congregations demonstrating urgency, local matching funds, professional oversight, and statutory consents.

Typical grants range from £1,000 to £10,000 (most £2,000–£7,500), awarded quarterly (March, June, September, December) on a rolling basis via emailed application forms and supporting documents; submit 3–4 weeks before meetings for 12–16 week decisions. SHCT excludes new builds, secular sites, core costs, salaries, programming, or retrospective works, distinguishing itself through deep localism, all-denominational support, and community fundraising like Ride+Stride events.