In 2024, £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.
In 2025 the Diocese of Gloucester created the Diocese Minor Repairs & Improvement Fund scheme, which was largely the same as that of the 2024 MR&IF, 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, 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 both the MR&IF and DMR&IF grant initiatives, said: “Although the majority of grant funded work concentrated on repairs recommended by quinquennial inspectors, the Fund enabled a number of very worthwhile improvements.”
“One of the projects supported in 2024 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. In January 2025, 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.
For 2026 the Church Commissioners have renewed the Minor Repairs & Improvements Fund scheme. We expect this to be open to applications at the beginning of July (2026), with an announcement being made to parishes and on this website in April.
For information/reference, in advance of the MR&IF opening to applications:
→ Minor repairs and Improvements fund application form
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