A Press Release from The National Churches Trust
A much-loved Cambridgeshire church is to share in a £323,687 funding pay-out from the National Churches Trust.
A £10,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant will help fund the installation of an extension with an accessible toilet and a modern kitchenette at the Grade I listed St Mary and the Holy Host of Heaven church, Cheveley, helping the church to better serve its local community.
Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice President of The National Churches Trust, said: “The UK's historic churches and chapels are a vital part of our national heritage. But to survive, many need to carry out urgent repairs and install modern facilities. The cost of this work is far beyond what most congregations can pay for themselves.”
“So, I’m delighted that the church of St Mary and the Holy Host of Heaven, Cheveley, is being helped with a £10,000 National Churches Trust Grant. The work on the installation of an extension to south transept with an accessible toilet and a modern kitchenette will help to ensure the church’s future as an important community building.”
Celia and James, church wardens at St Mary and the Holy Host of Heaven said: “A massive thanks to the National Churches Trust for awarding us this grant. It means so much to all who use the building. It will go a long way in fulfilling a promise made to our community in 2013. We look forward to promoting our new facilities at all future events.”
The church
The dedication of the church to St Mary and The Holy Host of Heaven is believed to be unique. The Grade I listed church was built in the 13th century.
Unusually it has a cruciform shape design (shaped like a cross). Such cruciform plans are more often seen in great cathedrals, for example Ely, rather than in a parish church.
The project
The project will support the external extension of the south transept to allow for the installation of an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. In addition, a small lobby with overhead storage and level access from within the church will be added and a modern kitchenette built in the south transept.
Supporting church buildings
A total of 34 churches and chapels in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will benefit from the latest grants from the National Churches Trust, the charity supporting church buildings of all Christian denominations across the UK.
These grants are the first to be made in 2019 by the National Churches Trust. In 2018 the National Churches Trust awarded grants of £1.2 million to help 202 projects at churches and chapels around the UK.
Demand for funding from the National Churches Trust continues to grow, with 583 grant applications received in 2018, up from 473 grant applications in 2017, a 23% increase.
The Trust funds churches of all denominations throughout the UK. Applications for grants can be made online at: www.nationalchurchestrust.org/our-grants
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Photos of Huw Edwards and churches awarded grants can be downloaded at: www.flickr.com/photos/nationalchurchestrust/sets/72157677551545157
About the National Churches Trust
The National Churches Trust is the leading national independent charity concerned with the protection and welfare of churches, chapels and meeting houses throughout the United Kingdom. We aim to:
a) Provide grants for the repair, maintenance and modernisation of church buildings
b) Act as a catalyst to improve and bring more resources to the management of church buildings
c) Promote the value of church buildings to the community at large
For more information visit www.nationalchurchestrust.org
PRESS CONTACT
Eddie Tulasiewicz 07742 932278 020 7227 1936 eddie@nationalchurchestrust.org