Published on: 09/10/2026
Yorkshire is home to some of the most historic and architecturally significant places of worship in the United Kingdom. These magnificent buildings dominate our local landscapes, serve as vital hubs for our communities, and store centuries of heritage treasures. However, keeping these sacred spaces open, safe, and well-maintained requires continuous care and significant financial investment.
Since its inception in 1988, the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT) has distributed nearly £3.5 million in grants to over 1,000 churches and chapels. Included in this were awards of £8,000 towards tower repairs at St Mary’s Beighton and £3,500 towards organ casing repairs in 2023 at St Wilfrid’s Hickleton. The Trust supports Christian denominations of all backgrounds and buildings of any age (listed or unlisted), awarding funds for churches, chapels and Quaker meeting houses for essential repairs, maintenance, and preservation.
Becoming a Friend:
Becoming a friend connects you with a community of like-minded history and architecture enthusiasts, along with access to a range of guided church tours and interactive Zoom lectures exploring history and architecture.
Grants: Applying for a grant is a straightforward process with plenty of support available along the way. Members of the grants committee visit all the churches applying for grants, providing valuable advice to refine the application and point churches in the direction of other potential sources of funding.
Legacies: Legacies and bequests are very important to the Trust. In 2025 they added a further £14,000 to the total available for grants. To honour these gifts responsibly, the Trust operates a legacy policy: income received from bequests is distributed evenly across subsequent years. This ensures the wishes of every donor are fully respected while providing stable, long-term financial support to churches rather than exhausting funds all at once.
An exciting new initiative taking place this autumn is the God’s Country Car Rally on Saturday 17 October. Entrants will set off from one of four historic Yorkshire landmarks in the morning, navigating through scenic countryside before finishing at the grand Bowcliffe Hall. Participants will snap photos of as many places of worship and historic points of interest as they can along the way. Awards will be given for the best photograph, the funniest photograph, and the highest number of sites captured on route.
Get Involved Today
Whether you are looking to apply for a grant, join as a Friend, or participate in upcoming events like the car rally, you can find full details, recent news, and application guides by visiting www.yhct.org.uk.
The Venerable David Gerrard, Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, said:
‘Our Church buildings are a great blessing, but can also be a significant responsibility and financial burden. As such, we are so grateful for the support of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust and the financial aid they provide for churches across Yorkshire. Therefore, we wholeheartedly commend to you the trust and encourage you to engage with the resources they offer.’
