£13.3m Funding Awarded to 37 Churches for Restoration
Written by Sunny Unachi on 19th October 2026
Thirty-seven Church of England churches and cathedrals are set to benefit from £13.3 million in restoration funding aimed at preserving historic religious buildings and keeping them accessible to local communities.
Announced on October 15, 2026, the grants form part of the first round of the government-backed Places of Worship Renewal Fund, administered by Historic England and funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The programme supports essential repairs and improvements to historic places of worship across England.
The funding will address a range of building needs, including masonry repairs, electrical upgrades, heating improvements, toilet facilities and step-free access. Grants awarded in the first round range from approximately £25,000 to nearly £1 million, depending on the requirements of individual projects.
Among the recipients, Birmingham Cathedral has been awarded £377,185 to address deterioration affecting its tower and dome. Meanwhile, St Elwyn’s Church in Hayle, Cornwall, will receive £746,900 for masonry repairs, improved rainwater systems and conservation work designed to prevent further water damage.
The initiative comes after the closure of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which operated for more than 20 years and helped eligible religious buildings recover VAT costs associated with repairs and maintenance.
The Places of Worship Renewal Fund has a total allocation of £92 million over four years, providing £23 million annually. Its stated priorities include supporting buildings in areas with significant investment needs and ensuring that historic places of worship can continue serving their communities.
Andrew Rumsey, the Bishop of St Albans and the Church of England’s lead bishop for buildings, welcomed the awards, noting that the funding would help congregations maintain their buildings while continuing worship, mission and community work.
The grants represent a significant investment in England’s religious heritage, particularly for congregations facing the financial demands of maintaining ageing buildings. By supporting essential repairs and accessibility improvements, the programme aims to help preserve these places of worship for future generations.
