Generous funding kickstarts vital parish projects
Tuesday 14th October 2025Parishes, churches, and chapels across the diocese are relishing a new lease of life following generous funding the National Churches Trust.
The NCT is an independent charity that provides vital support to churches, chapels, and meeting houses across the UK through a range of services encompassing funding, advocacy, and training.
Its work helps to preserve historic places of worship for future generations, enabling the day-to-day practice of religious worship to thrive whilst inviting visitors to enjoy the priceless heritage on their doorstep.
In our own diocese, the charity has helped a number of our churches do just that, most recently including funding of more than £34,000 to:
- St Mary’s (The Hidden Gem), Manchester
- St Michael and St John, Clitheroe
- St Mary and St John Southworth, Samlesbury
- St James the Less, Rawtenstall
- St Mary and St John, Pleasington
- St Charles, Swinton
- Lee House: Church of St William of York, Thornley
Lee House, home to the Church of St William of York, is a fascinating pocket of local history which links all the way back to the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion and the subsequent persecution of Catholics. Today, visitors of all ages, including numerous school visits, can spend time at the church and wider site to learn more about its remarkable past, the story of our faith throughout the centuries, or to simply practice and deepen their own faith.
Thanks to a grant of £9,000 from NCT, this incredible place of history has been preserved for future generation as it has allowed vital repairs to be made to the roof, chimney, and other sections of the church.
Joe Howson, from St William Centre for Mission Awareness – based at Lee House, said: “The support provided by The National Churches Trust has been invaluable in securing the long term preservation of our beloved church. The community at St William of York, Thornley, extends its gratitude to the Trust for the generous and enabling support it has provided. ”
Another parish in our diocese tells a similar story. The parish of St Charles in Swinton is also celebrating the renewal of its flat roof, thanks to a NCT grant of £6,500. This much-needed funding has facilitated the continuation of parish and community life, bringing faith, friendship, and family celebrations to hundreds of people across the area.
One much-loved church to people across the diocese is St Mary’s “The Hidden Gem” in Mulberry Street, Manchester. Located in the heart of Manchester City Centre, this stunning church dates back to 1794 and is widely recognised as a place of true beauty, attracting Catholics and none-Catholics alike in search of an escape from the bustle of the city.
Over recent years, essential work has been taken to preserve the fabric of both the church and presbytery, aided by funding from a number of generous donors, including a £5,000 grant from NCT.
Mgr Anthony Kay, Parish Priest at St Mary’s “The Hidden Gem”, said: “The very generous contribution to St Mary’s, the Hidden Gem, from the National Church Trust enabled the parish to begin a phased approached to the restoration of the Grade II* listed church.
“Specifically, the grant enabled us to undertake essential works to stop the ingress of water into the church, particularly when there were heavy downpours of rain, thus making the church water tight and paving the way for further roof works and fabric repairs. There is still much work to be done but we are grateful for the support of NCT in helping to get this work started.”
We give thanks to all who have supported the vital work that has been carried out on projects throughout the diocese, enabling these much-loved places of worship continue to thrive and serve our communities for years to come.
Tagged | Around the Diocese | Parishes
