Latest grants announced for ten Dorset churches
Ten churches across Dorset have received grants from Dorset Historic Churches Trust (DHCT) to help fund essential repairs and improvements to some of the county’s most historic buildings.
At a recent trustees’ meeting, the Trust awarded a total of £53,500 to support projects. These include vital roof and ceiling repairs, damp-proofing, bell frame repairs and leadwork repairs to windows.
The churches benefiting from the latest round of funding are:
Grants announced for Dorset Churches
- St Peter & St Paul, Blandford
- St Martin, Cheselbourne
- St Mary and St Bartholomew, Cranborne
- St John, Fishpond
- Holtwood Methodist Church
- St Thomas a Becket, Lydlinch
- St Andrew, Okeford Fitzpaine
- Holy Trinity, Swyre
- St Andrew and St Peter, Toller Porcorum
- St Nicholas, Winterborne Clenston
Among those receiving support is St Martin’s Church in Cheselbourne, which has been awarded £10,000 towards repairs to its collapsed ceiling.
Nina Shaw-Porter, Churchwarden of St Martin’s, Cheselbourne said, “Dorset Historic Churches Trust has been incredibly generous over the many years I have been Churchwarden and has recently pledged £10,000 to help with repairs to the collapsed ceiling in our beautiful 12th century church in Cheselbourne. This grant will make a massive difference to how quickly we can do the work and get the church back to full capacity again.” Nina continued, “We look forward to supporting Ride +Stride again this year as, not only is a fun day, it raises vital funds to help keep churches like St Martin’s in good repair.”
Responsibility for paying for church repairs falls primarily on local congregations and volunteers
The announcement comes as many people remain unaware of how historic churches are funded. According to Historic England research published in September 2025, only 11% of the public know that the responsibility for paying for church repairs falls primarily on local congregations and volunteers. Nearly 80% mistakenly believe the costs are covered by the Government or national church bodies.
Ride and Stride fundraising event
“Thanks to the incredible support we have received through Ride + Stride, our Friends organisation, legacies and donations, we’ve been able to fund a wide range of projects across the county this year, supporting churches and the communities that care for them. These grants enable communities to take action now to protect these precious buildings at a particularly crucial time,” explained His Honour David Grant, Chairman of Dorset Historic Churches Trust. “Repairs are now 20% more expensive, as the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme – a VAT reclaim scheme – was closed by the UK Government earlier this year. Our historic churches are a vital part of Dorset’s heritage and it is important that they are conserved for future generations.”
The Trust is also encouraging people to take part in this year’s Ride + Stride fundraising event, which takes place on Saturday 12 September 2026. Participants can walk, cycle or ride between Dorset’s churches and chapels to help raise money for their preservation.
Read more details about the Ride and Stride Fundraising event.
For more information or to register, visit www.dhct.org.uk/m/ride_and_stride.php.
About Dorset Historic Churches Trust
For 65 years, Dorset Historic Churches Trust has provided grants to support maintenance and repair work for churches and chapels of all Christian denominations across Dorset. Over the past five years, the Trust has awarded an average of more than £125,000 in grants annually.
Its principal source of funding is the annual sponsored Ride + Stride event, which celebrates and supports more than 400 churches and chapels across the county.
Photo above: Nina Shaw-Porter, Churchwarden at St Martin’s Church, Cheselbourne, one of ten churches awarded a grant by Dorset Historic Churches Trust to help with vital repairs. Photo credit: Salisbury Diocesan Advisory Committee.
