Diocesan leaders have topped up the Diocesan Minor Repairs Fund with an extra £100,000 to ensure it can continue to give practical support to churches.
Last year, £114,750 of money from the Church Commissioners’ £11 million Buildings for Mission Funding was allocated to 37 different church projects across the Diocese of Gloucester for minor repairs and building improvements. This money has now been allocated, but the value of the project was such that diocesan leaders were keen to ensure it could continue.
The extra money comes from the Stratton Davies Trust, a ring-fenced trust, whose conditions permit funds to be used in this way.
Diocesan Secretary, Benjamin Preece Smith said: “We are delighted to be able to extend the excellent, practical support of grants and advice to PCCs offered by the Care of Churches and DAC Team. This will help ensure essential maintenance can be done to some of the diocese’s exceptional church buildings, which in turn will mean they can remain as open physical testaments of Christ’s presence and love for all people.”
The application process and the terms and conditions of the grant will remain largely the same, with one major change. Previously, only work up to £10,000 was eligible. Based on feedback from applicants, to reflect the rising prices of building materials and services, and the new Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme cap on eligible claims, it was decided to allow churches to apply for grants for work worth up to a total of £20,000.
Care of Churches and DAC Team Leader, Adam Klups said: “The pastoral impact of the Minor Repairs and Improvements Fund grants offered to our churches over the past year thanks to the Buildings for Mission funding has been as important as their monetary value. This grant programme enabled us to closely engage with 37 of our churches and help them deliver small, yet often urgent and impactful projects, which would otherwise be difficult to realise.”
Rory Wilson, Church Buildings Support Officer, who has been closely involved with the work, and administers this grant initiative, said: “Although the majority of grant funded work concentrated on repairs recommended by quinquennial inspectors, the Fund enabled several notable improvements.
“One of the projects supported last year was the installation of a card and QR code payment system at St Peter’s, Upper Slaughter. The grant amount was £1,402 based on a total project cost of £2,114. Back in January, the PCC wrote to us to say how delighted they were with the work the grant enabled. The installation of WiFi for their contactless payment station was completed just before their carol service on 21 December. By the end of 2024, the PCC have received £2246 in donations – through the machine and QR codes.”
A wide range of works are eligible for support and PCCs are encouraged to consult the guidance for applicants below for full details.
Please ensure that you have read and understood the guidance for applicants (below) before completing the application form. Fill out the application form and return this, along with any supporting documents and photographs, to Rory Wilson: ku.gr1743519720o.coi1743519720dsolg1743519720@firm1743519720
The next deadline for applications will be midnight on Monday 26 May 2025.
→ Minor repairs and Improvements fund application form
The next panel meeting will take place in the first half of June 2025. To be considered at this meeting, applications must be received by midnight on Monday 26 May 2025.
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