Church Roof Repair Grants: Funding Options in the UK

Church roof repairs can be expensive, particularly for historic and listed churches where specialist materials and traditional roofing techniques are required. For churchwardens, parochial church councils (PCCs) and others responsible for maintaining places of worship, finding suitable funding is often an important first step.

There are several sources of church roof funding in the UK, including government-backed programmes, charitable trusts, heritage grants and denominational schemes. However, eligibility requirements vary, and changes to some established funding programmes mean it is important to check the latest guidance before applying.

This guide explores the main church roof repair grants available, recent changes to funding and practical steps to help churches prepare their applications.

    Government Funding for Church Roof Repairs

Places of Worship Renewal Fund

The Places of Worship Renewal Fund was introduced in April 2026 to support urgent repairs and essential improvements to listed places of worship in England.

The £92 million programme is administered by Historic England and provides capital grants for work that helps keep historic places of worship safe, open and in use.

Funding is available through three grant streams:

• Small Grants – £10,000 to £50,000.
• Medium Grants – £50,001 to £350,000.
• Large Grants – £350,001 to £1 million.

The fund is open to active, listed places of worship in England, regardless of faith or denomination. Priority is given to projects demonstrating urgent repair needs, financial need and benefits for their local communities.

Eligible work can include repairs to historic roofs, masonry and other building fabric. Certain professional fees and non-recoverable VAT costs may also be included within eligible capital projects.

Applications begin with an Expression of Interest, with submissions accepted during specified funding rounds. Churches should check the current application timetable and detailed requirements before preparing a submission.

Further information: Historic England – Places of Worship Renewal Fund

Charitable Grants for Church Roof Repairs

National Churches Trust

The National Churches Trust is one of the main charitable organisations supporting repairs and improvements to Christian places of worship across the UK.

Its funding programmes include:

• Medium Grants – Up to £10,000 towards urgent and essential repairs and maintenance projects costing up to £80,000, as well as certain project development and investigative works.
• Large Grants – Up to £50,000 towards major urgent and structural repairs costing more than £80,000.

These grants can support work such as repairing leaking church roofs, replacing deteriorating roof coverings and addressing structural problems.

Eligibility requirements include the age and use of the building, project costs, professional oversight and necessary permissions. Larger projects may also need to demonstrate that a proportion of the funding has already been secured.

The National Churches Trust also distributes some funding on behalf of other charitable organisations, including the Wolfson Foundation.

Further information: National Churches Trust – Grants

Benefact Trust

Benefact Trust supports Christian churches and charitable organisations with projects that help buildings remain safe, sustainable and useful to their communities.

Funding may be available for essential building repairs and improvements, depending on the Trust’s current programmes and eligibility criteria.

Churches considering an application should explain why the proposed repairs are necessary, how they will support the continued use of the building and what other funding has been secured or requested.

Further information: Benefact Trust

Wolfson Foundation

The Wolfson Foundation supports conservation work on certain historic churches, including repairs to significant building fabric.

Eligible projects may be considered for Wolfson Fabric Repair Grants through the National Churches Trust application process.

Churches applying for a National Churches Trust grant should check whether their building and proposed work meet the additional Wolfson criteria and indicate their interest where appropriate.

Further information: National Churches Trust – Medium Grants

National Lottery Heritage Funding

The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that conserve and sustain historic buildings while helping people and communities connect with their heritage.

Its National Lottery Heritage Grants programme offers funding from £10,000 to £10 million, with separate application processes for smaller and larger projects.

Church roof repairs may form part of an eligible heritage project, particularly where the work contributes to the long-term conservation and public use of a historic building.

Applications should explain not only why the roof needs repairing, but also the significance of the building, the benefits of the project and how the church will be maintained in the future.

For larger projects, an Expression of Interest and a development phase may be required before the full delivery application.

Further information: The National Lottery Heritage Fund – Funding

Church Commissioners and Denominational Funding

Church of England parishes may also be able to access funding or support through diocesan and national church programmes.

In 2023, the Church Commissioners announced funding for parish building repairs and specialist advice through the Buildings for Mission initiative. This included support for Church Buildings Support Officers and grants towards urgent repairs.

These announcements demonstrate the role that Church of England funding has played in helping parishes maintain their buildings. However, the availability of individual grants and application arrangements can change.

Churchwardens and PCCs should contact their diocesan buildings team to establish which funding programmes are currently available and whether their proposed roofing work qualifies.

Other denominations may have their own property, building maintenance or repair funds. Churches should check with their relevant governing body before making an application.

Local Church and Heritage Trusts

National funding schemes are not the only potential source of support.

Some dioceses, county church trusts and local heritage organisations provide smaller grants towards essential repairs, conservation work and building maintenance.

These may be particularly useful for churches seeking to combine several funding sources to cover a larger roof restoration project.

Local trusts often have geographical restrictions or specific requirements relating to the building’s age, heritage significance or use.

A useful starting point is to contact the relevant diocese or regional church trust and ask which grants are available for roof repairs.

Preparing a Church Roof Repair Grant Application

A strong application should explain why repairs are needed, what the work will involve and how the project will benefit the church and its community. Before applying for church roof repair grants, consider the following:

1. Establish the Condition of the Roof

Identify the repairs required and their urgency. Historic church roofs may need a specialist assessment to establish the condition of traditional materials, timbers and drainage details. A professional survey or architect’s report may also be required.

2. Prepare a Clear Project Budget

Provide a breakdown of the proposed work and costs, including contractor quotations, scaffolding, professional fees and VAT where applicable. Allow for unexpected issues that may arise when repairing historic buildings.

3. Check Permissions and Eligibility

Listed churches may require ecclesiastical or statutory consent, including faculty approval for Church of England buildings. Some funders also require oversight by a qualified architect or surveyor. Check these requirements before applying or starting work.

4. Demonstrate the Need for Repairs

Explain the risks of delaying repairs, such as water damage to historic interiors, timber structures or decorative features. Support your application with photographs, condition reports and professional recommendations where available.

5. Explain the Wider Benefits

Show how the repairs will preserve the building and support its continued use for worship and community activities. Funders may also consider the church’s wider heritage significance and future sustainability.

6. Plan Your Funding and Project Timetable

Check whether match funding is required and allow time for applications, permissions and funding decisions. Avoid starting work before receiving the necessary approvals, particularly where grant conditions prohibit it.

Church Roof Repairs Supported by Grant Funding

West Country Tiling has extensive experience working on historic and listed church roofs across the South West and beyond.

Ecclesiastical roofing accounts for a substantial proportion of our work, and we regularly work with churchwardens, dioceses, architects and trusts responsible for maintaining historic places of worship.

One example is St Michael’s Church in Puriton, Somerset, a Grade I listed church constructed from local blue lias stone with a natural slate roof. Our team carried out roofing work on the chancel and vestry, with the project supported by funding from the Church Commissioners.

Our ecclesiastical roofing experience also includes projects at St Peter’s Church in Hornblotton, Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight, St Sampson’s Church in Wiltshire and St Nicolas Church in Newbury, which received lottery funding. 

These projects reflect the range of historic buildings and roofing materials involved in ecclesiastical restoration work.