Norfolk Churches Trust | About the Trust

The Norfolk Churches Trust was established in 1976 as a result of the threat of redundancy and in some cases demolition of medieval churches. A shrinking and changing rural population with spiralling building costs have made the upkeep of the fabric of these churches an impossible burden for many small congregations.

Norfolk is composed of a multitude of small villages. Each had several shops and a pub which fulfilled the day to day needs of the parishioners. These have now disappeared, leaving the church as the only enduring building belonging to the people of the parish and representing them and their predecessors over more than 1000 years.

The Trust is registered as a Charity (271176) and a Limited Company (247797). It is also registered as an Environmental Body (111076) for the purpose of administering the Landfill Communities Fund.

There are currently ten Directors/Trustees with an Advisory Council of fifty drawn from the county. Meetings take place four times each year when applications for grants are considered. Last year (2008/9) the Trust awarded £275,585 grants to 62 churches.

The Trust also leases from the Diocese thirteen churches no longer serving as parish churches. These have been repaired and made wind and watertight. The most recently received churches are still in the process of being repaired with the help of volunteers, contractors and appointed architects. Occasional services are held by permitted clergy and thus continue in use for worship.

Funding of these activities is from many sources including the County Council, some District Councils, the annual Bicycle Ride, membership, donations, legacies, investments and WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental). Several events are held during the year and may include Stately Car Boot Sale, Plant Sale, Opera Evenings and Speaker Dinners.

The annual report is usually published in August each year.

As county churches trust we are mindful of other Christian denominations and assist as well as Anglican churches Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Free and Orthodox churches. Our interests are not solely for the historic and architectural and will sympathetically consider all ages and denominations.

The Trust aim is to help the churches with advice and financial assistance to continue their many centuries old purpose – to remain open as places of worship.