Published: 16 March 2021
Benefact Trust is supporting 53 churches and Christian charities with grants totalling £123,900 in the latest round of funding.
Some of the projects to benefit from this welcome boost include; a historic church at risk; the transformation of a former clergy house; and a plan to inspire young people.
Read on to find out more…
St Sylvester’s Church, Chivelstone, Devon;
St Sylvester’s Church is a beautiful, largely 14th and 15th century church in a remote area of South Devon. The church contains significant medieval woodwork, a carved and painted 15th century pulpit, and recently discovered 18th century wall paintings.
St Sylvester’s is currently on the Heritage at Risk Register and the community will lose this much-loved church without vital repair work. With the support of a £10,000 grant from Benefact Trust, the church will be renovated and the facilities improved so that the church can be removed from the register and enjoyed by many generations to come.
Sannox Christian Centre, Isle of Arran, Scotland
Sannox Christian Centre is a retreat on the Isle of Arran, on the site of the former Celtic Sannox Church. It is a place for prayer, worship, rest and restoration. A £4,500 Benefact Trust grant is supporting the major refurbishment of its 19th century former Manse into a new accommodation block. It will provide four bedrooms for nine people as part of the development and expansion of this unique residential retreat.
Noddfa Baptist Church, Abersychan, Torfaen, Wales
A £1,500 grant from Benefact Trust is supporting Noddfa Baptist Church to set up a community hub in the church to support young people in the local area. The community has limited youth projects and activities available, and so the church wants to do its part to help raise the ambitions and aspirations of its young community and help them to fulfil their potential. Funding will support the purchase of new laptops and technology, to give young people the opportunity to study and learn new skills in a social environment.
Jesus Christ the Saviour Assembly, Croydon, London
Jesus Christ the Saviour church is located in an area of London where 80% of the population are not in employment, education or training. Studies have shown that there are more cases of Coronavirus in this part of London and high numbers of vulnerable people with long term diseases. Many of these people are struggling to do daily tasks like pick up food and medication. A £2,000 grant from Benefact Trust will support the church to purchase a van so that it can deliver food, essentials and medication to those most in need.
