Perhaps the most exciting award of all the National Church Awards is the Friends Award, because it is chosen by the supporters of the National Churches Trust. Each year we invite churches who have already received a grant from us to let us know if they still need additional funding to complete their projects. We then ask our Friends to choose which church should receive an additional grant of £10,000.
Through your generous donations, our growing number of Friends help us carry out our work of supporting churches in so many ways. Your support makes a vital difference and helps even more historic churches remain open and in use for generations to come.
If you’re already a Friend of the National Churches Trust, you will receive a link to watch the films created by our shortlisted churches, and your voting form in August.
You will need to become a Friend by Monday 25 August to vote in this year’s National Church Awards. As well as being able to help a church receive some additional urgent funding, your membership will help the National Churches Trust to keep churches across the UK open and in good repair.
I want to become a Friend - click here to sign up
The winning church will recieve an additional grant of £10,000.
This year we are celebrating the 8th anniversary of our Friends Award, which means our Friends have given £80,000 to churches they have chosen. Below are some prevous winners, click on the boxes for more information.
St Mary is the only accessible space in the community. There was a hole in the tower that needed filling, as well urgent stonework repairs. Inside the tower are bells and a historic windlass, which was at risk if the tower was not repaired soon.
Roof restoration work enabled this ancient building to continue to be able to be used by the community it serves. The church is situated within a deprived estate community, fundraising is challenging, and your support was incredibly gratefully received.
The architecturally significant chancel roof wass unstable due to batten sickness, causing water to enter the building. Funding enabled this church to be watertight, continue to serve their local community.
A 13th century Welsh Romanesque church of cruciform plan with a central tower. The church was also a finalist in the Open for Visitors Award in 2023.
MikeSwift
