Churches seek repair grants to safeguard buildings

MONEY FOR toilets, leaking roofs and crumbling spires topped the list of funding requests made to the National Churches Trust grant programme last year, writes Liz Dodd.

In its annual review, the charity revealed it awarded £1,557,000 to 139 places of worship last year, among them Catholic churches such as St Cuthbert’s in Durham and St Patrick’s in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

Toilets topped the list of requests for community grants, with 81 applications for funding. Other priorities included money for kitchens, better access for disabled people, and heating.

Roof repairs and repairs to ­towers, spires and stained glass were among the most requested projects for money from its repair and cornerstone grant ­programme.

Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said toilets, kitchens and other modern facilities made churches more welcoming.