Funding for Places of Worship in NI to Carry Out Repairs

Listed and unlisted Christian places of worship, of any denomination, in Northern Ireland can apply now for grants of up to £10,000 for urgent and essential church maintenance and repair work taking place in 2025.

To be eligible, the church building must have been constructed as a place of worship at least 30 years ago. The building must be open for regular public worship for a minimum of six services per year and must be open to the public beyond worship for at least 100 days per year.

Applicants must be the owners of the building or have the right to carry out the work. If the church is not part of a main denomination, or registered with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, they must be a registered charity.

Grants of between £500 and £10,000 are available for projects that cost up to £100,000 overall (including VAT and fees). Match funding of at least 50% is required.

The funding is for maintenance and repair works, such as repairs to stonework, roofs, window and door structures, non-compliant lightning projection systems, to a main church building or an attached hall.

Priority will be given to:

• Work to architecturally and historically significant buildings.
• Urgent structural repair projects (as identified in a recent QIR or building survey as required within two years), with a focus on buildings that are at risk.
• Places of worship that can demonstrate a suitable maintenance system is in place to protect the investment.
• Projects led by conservation accredited professionals.
• Places of worship with regular opening hours.
• Places of worship that can demonstrate strong community engagement and sound plans for economic viability.