Church Buildings Council-conservation GRANTS
The Church Buildings Council (CBC) has two main grants programmes to support parishes in the repair and conservation of ecclesiastical heritage:
As we cannot help with work that has already started applicants are encouraged to contact a member of staff well before works are likely to begin.
Grants for Historic Furnishings and Artworks
The Council is able to award grants for conservation and repair of historic furnishings and works of art in churches.
Grants are available for the repair and conservation of object of artistic/historical significance and in need of urgent repairs. The following eligibility criteria apply to each type of object:
Sculpture & Furnishings (deadline: 1 June 2010)
- Monuments: must be of artistic or historical significance. Monuments of social importance to the parish are also eligible and it is recommended that applications be supported by historical documentation. Works which are purely of a cosmetic nature (e.g. cleaning when no other deterioration occurs) are not eligible.
- Timberwork: structures must be of artistic or historical significance. It is recommended, when appropriate, that applications address the relationship of timberwork structures with the building fabric.
- Metalwork and church plate: must be of artistic or historical interest. The conservation and re-mounting of monumental brasses (when the original slab is missing) is eligible but preference is given to the use of stone as mounting material. Proposals should reflect the historical use of objects.
- Textiles: must be of artistic or historical interest. Victorian and post-Victorian textiles of artistic significance are eligible, provided the provenance is established. The upgrading of storage facilities to conservation standards is also eligible.
- Churchyard monuments and walls: must be under the responsibility of the PCC. If the wall, monuments, railings or gates are in a closed churchyard and responsibility of the Local Authority they do not qualify for a grant. Works of a cosmetic nature or soft landscaping are not eligible. Churchyard walls must be of archaeological or architectural nature or ancient walls.
Glass (deadline: 3 September 2010)
- Stained glass and historic plain glazing can be considered
Paintings & Wall Paintings (deadline: 19 March 2010)
- Wall paintings and paintings on canvas or wood are eligible for grant aid provided they are of artistic and historical significance and in need of urgent repair. Paintings of social importance to the parish (e.g. hatchments) are also eligible but it is recommended that applications be supported by historical documentation.
The uncovering of wall paintings for aesthetic reasons is not eligible for grant aid.
Cleaning and other work of cosmetic nature are not normally eligible for grant aid.
Bells & Bell Frames (deadline: 30 April 2010)
- All bells and bell frames identified by the Council as being of historic significance (see the Database on this website), all bells cast before 1700 and historic bell frames.
- Projects must include conservation treatment of the bells themselves (e.g. removal of cast in crown-staples, turning, welding cracked bells) or conservation of a historic bell frame.
Organs & Organ Cases (deadline: 26 March 2010)
- Organs of merit over 70 years old in or close to their original condition along with significant instruments of a later date are usually eligible for consideration for grant aid.
- Organ cases of historic merit are eligible for consideration.
- Grants are awarded for conservation work to organs of historic interest, or where the proposed works restore a clearly established earlier historic state.
- Grants will not be awarded for speculative reconstruction or for works which introduce changes from the present condition of the organ, to either the tonal scheme or the action, or which replace earlier parts with non-traditional materials.
Clocks (deadline: 14 May 2010)
- All mechanical clocks are eligible.
- The project must involve overhaul and repair of the movement and/or dial motionwork.
- Repair and redecoration of the dial itself is only considered when the dial is ancient and of historical interest and the treatment is conservation-based.
Books & Manuscripts (open throughout the year)
- Historic books and manuscripts, when in the care of the parish, are eligible for grant aid. Modern printed books cannot be considered.
In all applications, the parish must demonstrate that the building is in a good state of repair and that suitable measures are in place to prevent future damage to the object concerned. Measures should be taken to ensure that the object is not subjected to adverse environmental conditions within the building (particularly in relation to the type and control of the heating system).
Grants will only be considered for projects that are supported by a detailed conservation report that fully describe the object's condition, analyse the causes of its deterioration and explain why it is necessary to embark on a conservation programme (also see the guidance on the preparation of conservation reports). The Council is also able to award grants towards the preparation of these reports.
Grants offered in 2007 typically varied between £300 and £13,000. We cannot support full costs and parishes are expected to contribute financially towards projects (please see the Major Grant Givers and Grants for Object Conservation for information on other sources of funding).
How to apply
To help us consider the eligibility of your project for a conservation grant (including grants to assist with the preparation of conservation reports), please download and print our Initial Enquiry Form and return it to our office (see below for the address). When you fill in the form, please make sure you enclose clear colour photographs of each object you are asking a grant for.
This is the first step of the application process, which will allow us to understand the historical and artistic significance of each object and the type and urgency of the works proposed. Once we have considered this, a member of staff will contact you directly to further advise on the next steps.
Please note that we cannot consider applications for work that has already started or been completed.
Grants for Fabric Repairs
In collaboration with The Wolfson Foundation, the Church Buildings Council is able to assist with the repair of Anglican Church buildings in England, Scotland and Wales that are listed Grade I or II* and were built before 1850.
For further information on grants and to discuss a potential application please contact:
Conservation Grant Enquiries
Church Buildings Council
Church House
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3AZ
Tel 020 7898 1866
Fax 020 7898 1881
Email enquiries.ccb@c-of-e.org.uk
The annual report for our Conservation Grants programme is now available. Annual Report 2008
April 2009
