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OVER £178,803 RAISED!
The Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme is a lifeline for historic churches – saving them 20 per cent on repair costs. But the future of the scheme is uncertain – and churches, chapels, meeting houses and cathedrals across the country are now paying up to a fifth more for repairs. To fix urgent needs like leaking roofs and crumbling towers. Some of them cannot afford to do these repairs anymore, putting heritage and church buildings across the country at risk of disrepair and closure. Please help us to urge the Government to make this scheme permanent and remove its devastating cap.
Watch the video to find out more (St Grade is featured)
Hear from two brilliants churches whose future has been put at risk due to the changes to the scheme. And find out how you can help us save church buildings across the country.
Storm Éowyn and storm Herminia have caused yet more damage to St Grade Church, more slates have been blown off causing more of the ceiling to fall into the aisle and pews.
We have cordoned off the aisle until it can be cleaned up and a safety inspection carried out.
This increases the urgency to repair the roof before anymore structural damage occurs.
The Cornwall Living Churchyards Project is a joint initiative between the Diocese of Truro and Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Thursday 31st October 2025
Three local families were able to help and have said they will check the plants & bulbs as they walk through the Churchyard…
and of course lots of help from 5 dogs!
We are thrilled to have been awarded a Large Grant from the National Churches Trust. A £30,000 National Churches Trust Grant will help to pay for urgent repairs to the roof to help make St Grade church watertight again. On the recommendation of the National Churches Trust, Grade Church will also receive a £5,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation and £10,000 from the Headley Trust.
We want to thank the National Churches Trust, Wolfson Foundation and Headley Trust for these generous grant awards. We have worked so hard in our tiny community to rescue this church which is held in such affection. Prior to this award we had raised £90,000 – £30,000 of this was from several small grants and £60,000 from the community – an astonishing commitment from a Parish of under 1,000 people. This award represents a 50% increase in our funds and has completely re-energised our campaign. We can’t wait for the work to be done so we it can be a welcoming space once more and used for a variety of performances, exhibitions, and workshops that visitors and our community can enjoy.
Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said:
“The National Churches Trust is delighted to be able to support St Grada & Holy Cross church to enable them to carry out urgent repairs to their beautiful building. Not only will this protect this important heritage, but it will help to keep the church building open and serving local people.”
“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today and tomorrow.”
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said:
“Historic churches, essential to their communities, often face substantial challenges alongside expensive maintenance and repairs. We are delighted to continue to partner with the National Churches Trust to ensure these cherished buildings are preserved and maintained for future worshippers and visitors.”
New Fundraising Total stands at £178.803
Mary Keeley, Chairman of the Friends of St Ruan and St Grade, who have been spearheading the fundraising efforts for the church. On hearing the news of the award, she was thrilled, and said:
“I want to thank the National Churches Trust, Wolfson Foundation and Headley Trust for their generous grant awards. We have worked so hard in our tiny community to rescue this church which is held in such affection.”
“Prior to this award, we had raised £90,000. £30,000 of this was from several small grants and £60,000 from the community – an astonishing commitment from a Parish of under 1,000 people. This award represents a 50% increase in our funds and has completely re-energised our campaign. We can’t wait for the work to be done so it can be a welcoming space once more and used for a variety of performances, exhibitions, and workshops that visitors and our community can enjoy.”
Sheila Stephens, the Church Warden and member of the Parochial Church Council, said:
“Receiving this grant has exceeded all our expectations and shows our community that their efforts have been worthwhile. We can’t wait to see this church restored to its former glory and now it seems our dreams can become a reality.”
“Every winter has been a battle against the elements, the church is in a very exposed and elevated position and takes the full force of the brutal Cornish winter storms. Replacing the roof after 160 years is long overdue and thanks to this generous grant within touching distance.”
How the grant will help the church
The roof slates will be replaced. New gutters and drainpipes will be added. All of this will make the building watertight again.
Significant help for churches
87 churches across the UK will stay open and in good repair thanks to £735,326 – almost ¾ of a million pounds – of funding awarded and recommended by the National Churches Trust in this latest round of grants.
In 2023, the National Churches Trust made over 180 grant awards to churches throughout the UK, with funding totalling more than £2 million. This has helped to save over 70,000 years of precious heritage.
The National Churches Trust helps churches through our extensive grants programme. Grants are available for churches of any Christian denomination that are open for regular worship to fund urgent repairs, maintenance, installing toilets or kitchens and feasibility studies to develop projects. Full details are at: nationalchurchestrust.org/grants
About the National Churches Trust
Since 1953, the National Churches Trust has provided funding of more than £130 million to support the UK’s church buildings. We are an independent charity and work with churches of all denominations and are UK-wide, providing support, training and advice to keep UK churches open and in good repair. www.nationalchurchestrust.org
About the Wolfson Foundation
The Wolfson Foundation is an independent charity with a focus on research and education. Its aim is to support civil society by investing in excellent projects in science, health, heritage, humanities and the arts. Since it was established in 1955, some £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) has been awarded to more than 14,000 projects throughout the UK, all on the basis of expert review.
Website: www.wolfsonfoundation.org.uk
Twitter/X: @wolfsonfdn
About the Wolfson Fabric Repairs Grants Programme
Wolfson Fabric Repairs Grants are made on behalf of the Wolfson Foundation by the National Churches Trust. The aim of the programme is to support the conservation and restoration of places of worship with outstanding historic and architectural significance. Churches can apply for the grants of up to £10,000 to support repairs to the fabric of their buildings such as roof repairs, masonry repairs, rainwaters disposal and drainage and floorwork.
For more information visit www.wolfson.org.uk/
On 6th July St Ruan Church was decorated by the Community. We are grateful to the Spring Flower Show Committee who decorated the Lychgate beautifully with sweetpeas from David Endean’s garden, they were so fragrant. Lorraine Wickens and Julia Nunn did beautiful arrangements in the church.
The children from our local Grade Ruan Church of England School did some very creative craft arrangements which were a delight.
We love our school children’s enthusiasm at being involved with their churches.
Thank you to everybody.
To help Save St Ruan & St Grade Churches
Fundraising for The Friends of St Ruan and St Grade Historic Church Buildings
As quoted from Annie’s Linkedin page
Hi everyone! I am delighted to announce that the charity I will be supporting as part of Search Seven’s #Share177 campaign is Friends of St Ruan & St Grade.
They are a wonderful little charity who are working hard to fundraise money and provide these beautiful churches with some much needed TLC. I’m so excited to help preserve this important piece of our culture so that the future generations can get married where their parents did and visit their loved ones who are buried there.
I decided to kicking off 2024 by pledging to walk 200,000+ steps throughout January. Which works out at 7K a day… who could’ve guessed 
I’d really love it if you could donate to my fundraiser if you’re able to 
Check out my Just Giving page below 
Following Storm Ciaran our Roof Appeal has become more urgent than ever.
Please help in any way you can with our roof appeal, before we lose the whole roof.
We are over half way to the total cost and we are hoping for grant funding. However, time is not on our side.
Our next fundraising event is Saturday 9th December, 7.00pm, Ruan Minor Village Hall, “Jazz on a Winter’s Night”, Admission £5 (includes a glass of mulled wine).
Please support the event.
For more information contact Mary KEELEY 07554242755
The first slate for inscribing was bought by Ellie Brooker in memory of her Great Granny Lavinia Frances Jane.
Jocelyn Fletcher was able to scribe it on her behalf.
Also pictured in the photo (left) are Sarah Farrell, Sarah Drummond and Bev Davis. Bev is dedicating her slates to those that died from the conflict in Afghanistan, both during and after from its consequences.
Pictured below are Summer and Victoria Pollard.
Summer has written and drawn on her slate for her forthcoming Baptism and Victoria for her and Gary’s wedding.
Pictured Right are Summer and Victoria Pollard.
Summer has written and drawn on her slate for her forthcoming Baptism and Victoria for her and Gary’s wedding.
Please go to: Grade Church Restoration Appeal
Or our JustGiving page
We will contact you soon after if you would like to write your own message.
Venues for signing and decorating your slates
We plan to be at the Recreation Ground on Saturday 4th June at the Jubilee celebrations and at Jazz in the Garden on 16th July at Westie Way.
See our Events page
Otherwise if it is easier phone Sarah Drummond on 290233
If you wish to become a member or would like information about making a bequest please go to the “Help Give Join Page“
If you are a member you will be emailed the newsletters on publication.
Please download the archived PDF newsletters below:
