A 10,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant will helpfund the installation of a toilet and refreshment area at the Grade I listed St Faith's church, Overbury, helping the building to better serve itslocal community.
Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice Presidentof The National Churches Trust, said: The UK's historic churches andchapels are a vital part of our national heritage. But to survive, many need tocarry out urgent repairs and install modern facilities. The cost of this workis far beyond what most congregations can pay for themselves.
So Im delighted that the church of St Faith, Overbury, is being helped with thisNational Churches Trust Grant.The installation of a toilet andfacilities for dispensing refreshments will help to ensure the churchsfuture as an important community building.
The church
Situated in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Beauty, StFaiths, a Grade I listed building can seat up to 200 people.
Parts of the building date from the 11th Century. In1040, a massive double row of stone columns was erected. The Normans alsoinstalled a font with carved stone panels. In the 14th Century, the north andsouth aisles were added, the nave roof was raised and the south doorway, withNorman mouldings and arch, moved to its present position.
The project
The project will support theinstallation of a universally accessible toilet in the northwest corner of thechurch cleverly sited within a reconfigured vestry. The refreshmentarea will be situated within the North aisle pews, with the sink unit andservery skilfully created from old pews.
Faith Hallett,St Faith's church warden said: This is an exciting project madepossible through outstanding craftsmanship and, crucially, the NationalChurches Trust grant. Thanks to their support we will be able to bring ourancient building into the 21st century without compromising itsbeauty or heritage. The new facilities will enable us to maximise our use ofthe church and enhance its relevance at the heart of our community. We couldnot be more thrilled or grateful.
Supporting church buildings
A total of 34 churches and chapels in England, Wales, Scotland andNorthern Ireland will benefit from the latest grants from the National ChurchesTrust, the charity supporting church buildings of all Christian denominationsacross the UK.
These grants are the first to be made in 2019 by the NationalChurches Trust. In 2018 the National Churches Trust awarded grants of 1.2million to help 202 projects at churches and chapels around the UK.
Demand for funding from the National Churches Trust continues togrow, with 583 grant applications received in 2018, up from 473 grantapplications 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
