Published: 19 July 2021
Over £200,000 of Benefact Trust funding is supporting 70 churches and Christian charities in the latest round of grants.
Projects to receive this welcome boost focus on restoring historic treasures and expanding buildings to support growth and development.
Find out more…
Cornerstone City Church Hope Centre, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
The Hope Centre at Cornerstone City Church was established two years ago, providing a food and clothing bank, social supermarket, counselling services and a recent pregnancy support centre, which is the first of its kind in the city. The centre has exceeded expectations and needs to expand to support demand for its services. £3,000 of Benefact Trust funding will help to refurbish a space within the church to accommodate the growth and in turn support many more people who are in need.
St Michael’s Church, Munslow, Shropshire
A £2,000 grant from Benefact Trust is supporting the restoration of four medieval stained glass windows of national importance at St Michael’s Church. The curator of the Stained Glass Museum in Ely has described the windows as ‘the treasure of Munslow Church.’ Following the conservation work, the church envisages developing an exhibition to showcase the windows, their significance and the messages in the glass.
The Exodus Project, Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Exodus is a Christian charity working with over 300 children and young people through a network of 13 activity clubs. The charity reaches those from the most disadvantaged communities, helping young people to make the right choices in life. £11,250 of Benefact Trust funding is supporting The Exodus Project to build an extension on its premises for new sleeping accommodation as well as new leisure spaces, enabling more children to benefit from fun, friendship and faith.
Friends of Lanteglos Church, Cornwall
A £3,400 grant from Benefact Trust will help to restore the historic bells at St Julitta’s Church, which is the only Grade I listed church in the area and is of great historical interest. The Friends of Lanteglos Church was set up 13 years ago when the church was in danger of closing to maintain and enhance the church for the benefit of the community. After a major restoration of the church, the focus is now to restore the historic bells which were last restored 100 years ago. The restoration will involve young people at every stage including teaching them the art of bell ringing. There will be a professional video of the whole process to help keep the bell ringing tradition alive.
*Header image: Cornerstone City Church Hope Centre
