£48m heritage funding opens for churches and historic buildings

Part of £1.5 billion government investment in cultural organisations over a five-year period

Thousands of churches and historic buildings across England could benefit from a major new £48 million funding package aimed at urgent repairs, regeneration projects and wider community use.

The funding, announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport alongside Historic England, opens three key schemes for applications, with a strong emphasis on supporting projects in areas facing economic hardship and fundraising challenges.

New Places of Worship Renewal Fund

At the centre of the package is the new Places of Worship Renewal Fund, offering up to £23 million this year for listed places of worship of all faiths.

The scheme will support projects ranging from roof and masonry repairs to stained glass conservation, improved accessibility and new facilities designed to expand community use.

Historic England, which will administer the programme, says the fund is intended to help tackle the growing backlog of repair work affecting many churches and faith buildings nationwide.

A further £69 million is expected to be made available during the current Parliament.

Heritage at Risk Funding Returns

A second round of the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund has also opened, with up to £15 million available this year.

The programme targets vulnerable heritage sites requiring significant intervention to secure their future, particularly projects delivering wider social and economic benefits such as employment opportunities, cultural activity and community engagement.

Projects supported in the first round included repairs to Salford Lads Club in Manchester, restoration work at Swindon’s historic Health Hydro Turkish Baths, and redevelopment of a 200-year-old sports hub in London.

Revival Fund Doubles to £10 Million

The Heritage Revival Fund has expanded to £10 million annually and focuses on bringing neglected historic buildings back into productive use.

Delivered by the Architectural Heritage Fund in partnership with Historic England, the scheme supports projects converting heritage properties into cultural venues, affordable housing, workspaces and community hubs.

Recent projects include the restoration of Kingsley Hall in Bristol, redevelopment of Northumberland Hall in Alnwick, and the transformation of St John’s Church in Great Yarmouth into a multi-use cultural centre.

Opportunities for Specialists

For conservation contractors, joinery firms, stained glass studios, roofing specialists, surveyors and ecclesiastical professionals, the funding announcement is likely to generate significant project activity over the coming months.

With many listed places of worship struggling to address long-delayed maintenance issues, the schemes are expected to stimulate demand for specialist heritage skills across roofing, tiling, stonework, glazing, timber conservation and accessibility upgrades and more.

A SELECTION OF SUITABLE EXPERTS IN THE HERITAGE AND CHURCH SECTOR CAN BE FOUND IN THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND HERITAGE WORLD DIRECTORY HERE

Bakers of Danbury honouring history and remembrance through conservation

For over 145 years, Bakers of Danbury Heritage Building Contractors has been a trusted specialist in the conservation of ecclesiastical and heritage sites. Their commitment to quality and attention to detail means every project they undertake is built to last – blending traditional craftsmanship with modern restoration techniques.

Click here to find out more.