Places of worship
Since 1994 we have awarded over £1bn to more than 8,200 places of worship projects across the UK.
Whether they are used for worship or other purposes, these places and their built heritage, objects and intangible culture tell the story of life in the UK over the centuries. From gurdwaras and synagogues to temples and cathedrals, they are also homes and habitats to declining species and nature such as bats.
Our approach
We know that the sector is changing and that demands on our funding are changing too. We are committed to supporting places of worship and the people who care for them through that change, whatever it looks like.
Through our Heritage 2033 strategy we’re taking a new approach to supporting historic places of worship, grounded in our research into the needs and challenges in different areas and nations of the UK.
We support individual places of worship
Grants from £10,000 to £10million are available through our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme to support communities caring for places of worship of all faiths.
We’re planning a refreshed approach later in 2024 to how we reach out to those who manage places of worship to encourage them to apply.
How to get funding
You might also want to explore the Listed Places of Worship grants scheme.
What sorts of project might we fund?
- exploring the building and bringing it to life through new interpretation
- necessary repair works to masonry, rain-water goods systems or roofs, enabling the building to be taken off the Heritage at Risk Register
- running heritage learning activities and community events, and creating space for them by carrying out minor alterations to the fabric
- exploring, conserving and interpreting the biodiversity of external spaces including graveyards and cemeteries
- providing better access to heritage using digital technology
- community events to involve people in recording the removal, repair and reinstallation of bells, organs, hatchments and benefactor boards, alongside the repairs
- opportunities for people to learn about the art in places of worship, alongside a programme of conservation, such as stained glass, memorials and monuments, wall paintings, statues, historic fixtures or graffiti
- discovery, conservation and learning about the creatures that live in the building, such as bats or birds of prey
- activities to help your group manage heritage more effectively, such as researching existing and new audiences, expanding your pool of volunteers, or trying new approaches to fundraising or income generation
- installing facilities such as toilets which can be shown to enable more inclusive use of the building in future
Explore recent news and case studies from places of worship we’ve supported below.
We support organisations addressing sector-wide challenges
Places of worship are a current focus for our Heritage in Need strategic initiative.
We work with umbrella organisations that can have a broad impact across the places of worship sector to address widespread needs and challenges. Our partnership with the National Churches Trust and Architectural Heritage Fund is investing in creative and collaborative ways to save and reuse historic buildings and increase organisations’ resilience.
We’ve recently published details of how we will invest a minimum of £15million in projects that have a strategic impact at a regional or national level for places of worship over the next three years.
News
£1.9million to increase the resilience of places of worship
News
Apply for £70,000 grants to support built heritage regeneration organisations
Videos
Inspiration for your heritage project
Publications
Grants for Places of Worship programme evaluation
Projects
Ulster Orchestra transforming Townsend Street Church into music and heritage centre
A landmark church, former school and memorial hall in Belfast will be restored and become the Ulster Orchestra’s new permanent home.
News
Cherished churches and cathedral’s choral street receive £7.4million
News
£4.3million supports places of worship in Midlands and East of England communities
Projects
Reawakening St Mary Magdalene for Newark communities
St Mary Magdalene Church is undergoing a revival to transform the Grade I listed building into a vibrant community hub.
Projects
The Way Forward: St Mary’s Church, Stebbing
At the church of St Mary the Virgin in Stebbing, Essex, a programme of major repairs and improvement will remove the church from the Heritage at Risk register and create an inviting community hub.
Projects
Leicester Cathedral's Journey of Renewal
The Leicester Cathedral Revealed project is blending tradition with innovation to rejuvenate this much-loved place of worship and welcome.
Projects
Divine Beauty: restoring Birmingham Cathedral's stained glass treasures
Innovative methods of engaging visitors have complemented the restoration of a stunning set of stained glass windows by Birmingham-born Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones.
Projects
Regenerating St Peter’s as a cultural hub for Sudbury
St Peter’s Cultural Venue is being transformed into a new arts, heritage and learning space at the heart of Sudbury, Suffolk.
Stories
All creatures great and small: helping church communities care for their bats
Projects
Project Pilgrim: A new life for Gloucester Cathedral
Phase One: The Heart of Gloucester saw Gloucester Cathedral transform into a leader for sustainable development in the city.
Projects
Restoring and reinterpreting Auckland Castle
This bold heritage-led regeneration project aims to create inspiring experiences and learnings on faith for visitors to County Durham.
News