Wiltshire has an extremely rich ecclesiastical heritage of more than 500 buildings. The Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust was founded in 1953 and has raised and distributed £1.7M to churches and chapels across Wiltshire for critical fabric repairs and community enhancements.
It is a non-denominational body and is able to assist non-conformist chapels and Roman Catholic churches as well as Anglican churches by funding repair, improvement and reconstruction.
The grants made by the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust have not historically been large but have provided important encouragement to local congregations working hard to maintain their ecclesiastical heritages. The income of the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust is in the main derived from the annual September sponsored bike ride and walk (the “Ride And Stride”) and the activities of the Friends of Wiltshire Churches and to a lesser extent from donations and legacies.
In 2008 the Friends of Wiltshire Churches was set up to raise awareness of the many beautiful churches and chapels in the county and to seek additional funds for the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust. You can support the important work of the Trust by becoming a Friend of Wiltshire Churches.
The Trustees hold two meetings each year, normally on the second Monday of June and November. At each meeting, the Trustees decide on grant applications. The Trust appoints Deanery Representatives who report to the Trustees on individual applications and contribute to the Trustees’ decisions on grants at the twice yearly meetings of Trustees and Deanery Representatives. Reports are also received from the Catholic and Free Churches Representatives.
Any applicant churches or chapels that stand out for their contribution to advancing the Christian religion may also be considered by Trustees for a grant from the Hartham Church Charitable Trust Fund (HCCT Fund).
Please consider supporting the work of the Trust by making a donation. Click the Donate Button below for online payment, with an option to Gift Aid your donation
DONATE
The Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust is a registered charity (charity number 1075598) and reports annually to the Charity Commission.
The Trust Address is:
Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust,
The Garden House,
Ferne,
Shaftesbury
Wilts SP7 0EU
Questions on the Trust should be sent by email to:
sec.whct@gmail.com