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. We are hopeful, but await confirmation, that the Church Commissioners will allocate further funds for 2026.
The extra money for 2025 came 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 (were) 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 (helped to) ensure essential maintenance (could) 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 should remain largely the same as in 2024 and 2025.
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 thanks to the Buildings for Mission funding has been as important as their monetary value. This grant programme enabled us to closely engage with (many) 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 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 had received £2246 in donations – through the machine and QR codes.”
With the maximum total applicable project value being £20,000 in 2025, a wide range of works were eligible for support and PCCs were encouraged to consult the guidance for applicants below for full details. These should remain generally the same ongoing.
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.gro.coidsolg@firm
→ Minor repairs and Improvements fund application form
The most recent Grant Panel meeting was in October (2025). Once we have confirmation of the 2026 fund, an announcement regarding application and panel meeting dates will be made through our website and to parishes.
