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DON’T JUST LOVE IT. HELP SAVE IT.

Plague, war, fire. Churches have stood through it all. But they won’t survive the next five years without you.

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AdamJones

Breaking news: churches now forced to pay VAT on all repairs

On the 22 January 2026, the UK Government confirmed the end of Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. It will be replaced by a £92 million grant scheme called the Places of Worship Renewal Fund. However, historic places of worship have been left stranded as Government money for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme has ran out before the deadline and the new scheme is not up and running.

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Keeping church buildings open and in use

Our impact in numbers

  • Over 2000 Churches and chapels

    We've helped keep open, in good repair and supporting local people since 2007.

  • £ 2.6 million awarded in 2025

    To churches and chapels for urgent repairs, new facilities and essential maintenance.

  • 12 Churches and chapels

    Removed from the Heritage at Risk Register in 2025 with the support of our grants.

Church of the Week

Church of the Week

Fetlar, Shetland Islands

A community group takes care of our Church of the Week – Fetlar Kirk in Shetland. Built in 1791 on the site of previous kirks, in 2021 it was bought from the Church of Scotland by a community-owned charity, Friends of Fetlar Kirk. Regular services for various denominations still take place inside, including Church of Scotland, Episcopalian and Catholic, while the building also hosts concerts, exhibitions and talks. But recently, this thriving space was put at risk due to deteriorating stonework. The team at the kirk applied for a Cherish programme grant for emergency repairs from the National Churches Trust. Cherish is run by the National Churches Trust and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery Players. When the grant was awarded in autumn 2025, the team got straight to work. “Prior to this repair the kirk was not fit for purpose,” continues Ruth. “As it is the only kirk on the island of Fetlar, it is a significant building for the community. It is now fully available for services and for other community activities."

View Fetlar Kirk
A cross with 'The National Churches Survey' written on it.

The National Churches Survey results

The National Churches Survey sets out clearly the challenges that churches are facing and also the opportunities for renewal, if we act together. Without intervention the risks are high – we risk losing these buildings and all they embody – for good. Let us rise to that call, so that churches, chapels and meeting houses continue to stand as beacons of hope in the United Kingdom now and for many generations to come.

A photograph of people walking up to a Welsh chapel
Ioan Said

New opportunities to join our team

We're looking for a new Finance Manager to join the National Churches Trust. We are also excited to announce we have two new opportunities for people to become a Trustee of the charity. Please click through to find out more about these positions and what we're looking for.

A large stone church with a red roof and prominent square tower on the left-hand side of the image. Photographed on a cloudy yet sunny day.
Hassocks5489

Another 80 churches saved for the future

Through our latest round of grants, we can reveal that more than £900,000 has been awarded to churches, chapels and meeting houses across the country, to keep these magnificent buildings open and in use. Explore our gallery to find out more about the projects happening at these unique places of worship and hear from the churches directly about the impact of the grant and what it will achieve.