Yorkshire Churches Windfall

Ten churches from across Yorkshire are celebrating this month after being awarded over £50,000 from the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT).

The future of many churches is under threat due to crumbling roofs, windows and stonework. The YHCT works to ensure these places of worship are kept in good repair, recognising the contribution they make to society at large and the support they provide to local communities.

The funding provides a vital lifeline to places of worship who have been unable to carry out their usual fundraising activities over the past year, and at a time when many are increasingly providing a number of essential services to local communities, such as food banks and credit unions.

Grants were awarded to a range of places of worship across the region, from a Methodist Church in Mosborough, a Grade II listed church in Sigglesthorne in the East Riding, a rural Congregational Church in Swaledale, to Leeds Minster, right in the heart of the city centre.

One of the churches receiving funds is St Mary the Virgin in Oxenhope, which received £10,000 for vital roof repairs.

Revd Cat Thatcher, Vicar of Oxenhope, said: "We are delighted to receive this generous grant from Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust. With it we are able to undertake repairs to the roof, and at the same time to have the roof insulated. This will not only make the building warmer, particularly in winter, but will also contribute to the reduction of our carbon footprint, which is something we are very keen to do."

Tom Ramsden, Chairman of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust, said: ““Thanks to the generosity of our Friends and donors, we have been able to support a wide range of places of worship. Over the past year we have witnessed the important role churches play in bringing their local communities together and helping them thrive. Now, more than ever, they need our help to ensure those churches continue to support their communities for many years to come”.

The full list of churches receiving grants can be found at https://www.yhct.org.uk/news/