Building work at Mount Merrion Parish Church, Belfast, in 2018
Churches and chapels in Northern Ireland have until Monday, 5th October 2020, to apply for grants to carry out essential maintenance or urgent repair work in the first round of funding from the National Churches Trust’s new Treasure Ireland project.
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to churches and chapels of any Christian denomination that is open for regular worship. Work must be to the main church building or an attached hall which must have been constructed as a place of worship at least 30 years ago.
Grants are available for work including:
– Roof repairs;
– Rainwater goods maintenance and repairs;
– Lime mortar and masonry repairs;
– Stonework repairs; and
– Repairs to window and door structures.
Grant applications can be made online at: [ www.nationalchurchestrust.org/treasure–ireland–grants ]
About Treasure Ireland
Treasure Ireland is a new project to support historic places of worship in Northern Ireland, which will run for three years from 2020 to 2023.
In addition to grants for repairs, the project also offers help and advice with maintenance to help keep churches or chapels in good condition and so avoid having to carry out expensive repairs.
Treasure Ireland aims to increase the number of people visiting churches in Northern Ireland for days out or as part of a holiday. At least 100 churches will be added to the National Churches Trust’s ExploreChurches website, making it easy for visitors to discover the architecture and history of Northern Ireland’s Christian heritage.
The National Churches Trust’s CEO, Claire Walker, said: “If you are responsible for looking after a place of worship, Treasure Ireland will make it easier for you. The Covid–19 pandemic has had a serious impact on the finances of churches with many unable to raise money from worshippers, visitors or from the hire of church halls. Our new grants programme offers help with the cost of repairs and essential maintenance and will help keep the churches and chapels of Northern Ireland in good condition.”
Treasure Ireland is run with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Pilgrim Trust and the Northern Ireland Executive’s Department for Communities.
Shared by the RCB Property Department
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