SOMERSET CHURCHES TRUST
...keeping Somerset's churches & chapels alive

Welcome to Somerset Churches Trust...

... an independent, non-denominational trust raising money for the repair and improvement of churches and chapels open for Christian worship in the historic county of Somerset. The Trust, founded in 1996 under the name Friends of Somerset Churches and Chapels, exists to encourage interest and the involvement of all members of the community in the magnificent heritage of our fine religious buildings. Already, since its founding, the Trust has made grants of almost £700,000 to over 300 churches and chapels in Somerset.

Grants Available for Roof Alarms

With an award of £30,000 from Allchurches Trust we can grant up to £1,000 per installation including systems that are already in the process of being put in. The grants are on condition that churches must be members or become members of Somerset Churches Trust for a period of at least 3 years, that the alarm is approved by insurers and is maintained for at least 5 years. For an Application Form please go to our Grants Application Forms page. Our grant scheme has been featured on a number of BBC West news reports. Click here to see the report by Lee Madan of the BBC including comments from the Rector of Cheddar and our Chairman Axel Palmer.

2017 Annual Report sent to all members

Our Chairman, Dr Axel Palmer has written to all individual and church members of the trust enclosing a copy of the Annual Report and Accounts for 2017 together with our programme for 2018 and a membership application form to pass on to encourage new members. To see the letter click here. 


Our Patron Kevin McCloud, the presenter of Grand Designs says:

“Our churches are literally our historic and cultural touchstones – in our landscapes, built environment, family histories and our communities.
They embody faith, beauty, craftsmanship and collective memory. So we should cherish them.”






Tea and cake outside St Hugh's Church, Charterhouse on Mendip

Sun shines again on our Annual Meeting 

Our Annual Meeting was held at St Hugh's Church, Charterhouse on Mendip on Saturday 14th April. After weeks of cold, wet and windy weather we were blessed with glorious sunshine and tea and cake were enjoyed outside this lovely church built in the Arts and Crafts style. Dan Shorland-Ball was awarded the Ride+Stride cup on behalf of Holy Trinity Long Sutton as the highest fundraiser for the second year running. Andy Littlejones gave us a talk about the church and then lead a tour of the surrounding area including the Roman lead workings. 

Our Next Event - Medieval Churches of the SW Mendips

Our next event on Saturday 21st July is a tour of four stunningly beautiful medieval churches nestled  within the Mendip Hills.  Meet at 2.00 pm at St Congar, Badgworth, BS26 2QP. Then to St Peter and St Paul, Bleadon, BS24 0PG,  St Mary, Christon, BS26 2XX and finally to St Andrew, Compton Bishop, BS26 2HF (pictured above) where we will have tea. 
Book with: Rob Harding. 
email: robhardingbristol@gmail.com  tel: 0117 924 0333 .
See the Events Calendar below for further details. For full details of each event click here for the complete programme. You can download this and print it off.

We look forward to seeing you and do please feel free to bring along someone with you and introduce them to the Trust. 


Publications

Click here for the following:
Books for Sale
Annual Reports
Trustees Annual Reports and Accounts
Press Releases
Church Card Archive
Policies and Procedures
Grant Applications and Closing Date

We welcome applications from churches and chapels of all denominations for grants towards repairs and improvements to enable wider community use subject to our grant terms and conditions. Applicants who are not already members of the trust must become members for at least three years in order for a grant to be paid. Grant applications must normally be received one calendar month before the date of the trustees meeting at which the application will be considered. The next closing date will be 1st June 2018 for the trustees meeting on 3rd July 2018.
Click here for more information on Grant Applications.


 
Cheddar Church Tour
Cheddar Church Tour

Fifteen hardy souls braved the wintery weather to enjoy a tour of Cheddar Churches and were rewarded with a wondrous spread at the Baptist Church.(pictured left)
BBC features our Alarm Grants Scheme
BBC features our Alarm Grants Scheme

The Somerset Churches Trust/Allchurches Trust Scheme for grants towards roof alarms has been featured on a number of news reports by BBC West. Click on heading for link to the report.
The National Churches Trust makes grant award to Somerset Churches Trust for 2018
The National Churches Trust makes grant award to Somerset Churches Trust for 2018

We are delighted to be able to announce that for another year we have been granted additional funding for grants from the National Churches Trust. Click on the heading for more information or go to our Grants Page.
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