The total sum awarded at the June Grants Meeting of Suffolk Historic Churches Trust was £71,000. It is shared between twelve Suffolk churches, eight in the west of the county and four in the east, all facing huge bills for repairs and conservation.
The successful parish churches are in Barningham, Brome, East Bergholt, Hunston, Ipswich, Keddington, Kettlebaston, Rattlesdon, Stoke by Nayland, Walsham le Willows, Whitton and Wissington.
The various work that will be undertaken in the churches include work to floors and guttering, improving heating, and access. (Details listed below)
The total cost of the work at the thirteen churches (excl VAT) is around £1,890,000. In East Bergholt, St Mary’s needs to re-roof and lead the roof, remove benches, underfloor heating, and level access to South porch and the work will cost around £1,433,800. At SS Mary & Botolph, in Whitton, the vestry underpinning, new roof and drains will cost £111,145. The grants awarded by SHCT will go towards the costs.
“Several churches in the diocese, not including those above, currently find they must raise in excess of two million pounds in order to carry out major work to the fabric of the building. Suffolk Historic Churches Trust can seldom meet the entire needs of a church and sees itself as an enabler for other grant givers,” explained John Devaux, Chairman of the Grants Committee, SHCT. “Churches, chapels and meeting houses of all denominations can apply for a grant from the Trust, which are awarded quarterly.”
The SHCT grant money is raised by legacies and the annual Suffolk Churches Ride and Stride Day, the Suffolk Churches vintage and classic car rally Pedal & Drive, as well as a Steeple to Steeple horse ride, all held on the same day. This year the fundraising day will be held on Saturday 12th September and details are on this website.
There are more details of how to make a grant application click HERE
Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Grants awarded in July 2026 were:
St Andrew, Barningham – metal grilles to four windows (Hooligans have thrown stones and a brick though a stained glass window on two occasions. There are grilles over some windows but there is a need to protect the remaining four.).
St Mary, Brome – Replace gutters, downpipes etc. Connect to mains drainage
St Mary, East Bergholt – Re-roof and lead the roof, remove benches, underfloor heating, level access South porch
St Michael, Hunston – Install pew heaters in chancel
St John, Ipswich – Install upgraded power supply. Change heating to infra-red heaters
SS Peter & Paul, Keddington – Conservation of sanctuary floor
St Mary, Kettlebaston – Re-tile south nave roof. Various flint and plaster repairs
St Nicholas, Rattlesdon – Replace Chancel woodblock floor
St Mary, Stoke by Nayland – Repair bell chamber louvres.
St Mary, Walsham le Willows – Masonry repairs to south aisle, eastern window
SS Mary & Botolph, Whitton – Vestry underpinning, new roof and drains
St Mary, Wissington – Lay an equal access ramp to the porch
