Church of Scotland Opens £1 Million Repair Fund for Historic Churches

Church of Scotland congregations are being encouraged to prepare for the opening of a £1 million fund designed to support repairs to historic and listed places of worship across Scotland.

The Scotland’s Places of Worship Fund will open for applications on 1 October 2026 and is being administered by Historic Environment Scotland (HES). The pilot scheme will help eligible listed places of worship recover VAT costs associated with qualifying repair and conservation work.

The fund comes after the closure of the UK-wide Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme earlier this year. That scheme had helped religious organisations recover VAT on eligible repair projects, making its closure a significant concern for churches responsible for maintaining historic buildings.

The new Scottish fund will run until the end of March 2027, with funding allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to eligibility and the availability of funds. HES said the pilot will also help assess the level of demand and inform discussions about possible future funding arrangements.

The Church of Scotland has welcomed the initiative and is urging congregations to begin gathering invoices, repair information and supporting documents so they are ready to apply when the scheme opens.

The need for such support is particularly important for churches that occupy older buildings requiring regular maintenance. The Church of Scotland owns more than 1,100 listed churches and halls, many of which also serve as community spaces beyond Sunday worship.

The fund therefore has significance beyond the preservation of church buildings. Historic places of worship often function as meeting spaces, local landmarks and venues for community activities.

Church leaders have welcomed the Scottish Government and HES support while also stressing the importance of finding a sustainable funding solution beyond the pilot period.

For congregations caring for Scotland’s historic churches, the new fund provides practical assistance at a time when the cost of maintaining ageing buildings continues to place pressure on local communities.