Devon Historic Churches Trust
The Devon Historic Churches Trust, a true friend
Churches eh? Easy to take for granted, but protecting their wondrous architecture, caring for their astounding art, helping them change to match the twenty-first communities around them… there is only one Devon-wide organisation doing this, and that is the Devon Historic Churches Trust.
And it is for all us who live in Devon, however often we might pop into a church.
The huge challenges for our churches here in Devon
Here is the problem… Devon has over 600 parish churches, near all of them Medieval or Victorian, and all of them requiring constant repair and upkeep as well as upgrading for modern needs.
Then throw into this challenge the fact that every penny of this expensive work is the sole responsibility of the local parish; the central Church of England does not contribute anything at all.
On top of that nearly every single church in Devon is a listed building, so there is a whole mountain load of old-style special techniques that have to be used to repair them, all more costly than modern ways.
And of course the Devon winters. Storms barrelling in from the Atlantic, snow and ice from the North, rain… well, from everywhere, to be honest, and getting in everywhere too; and when it is not raining, it is just damp, damp, damp. Urrrgh!
Even more challenges
But there is even more… The churches in Devon have one of the two best surviving collections of medieval interiors in England (Norfolk is the other), nationally and internationally important.
And conserving and repairing medieval glass, paintings, carvings, stonework is not only intensely time consuming but also demands ever deeper knowledge, years of experience and special materials, and that means even more money.
Lack of money
And as the icing on this problem cake, Devon is one of the least populated (per square kilometre) county in England, with most of the population living around the two main cities.
The huge majority of parishes are deeply rural and have very few folk living in them… most definitely not rich; wealthy in nature and beauty for sure, and blessed with marvellous communities and churches, but cash rich not at all.
Devon’s churches have been a focal part of life in the county for centuries, providing both a spiritual and physical focus for the communities they serve. They are also an important part of both the landscape and our cultural heritage and nearly always the cost of the work required to maintain or repair a church or chapel is far beyond the means of the local congregation and community.
Judith Kauntze, Devon Historic Churches Trust
Some of these parishes have tiny populations… Why, Abbots Bickington, with its marvellous stained glass and very special church, had 31 folk in 2001, and I can assure you that has not changed much.
What is the Devon Historic Churches Trust?
So back in the early 1970s folk decided to give a hand, and on 1 January 1973 the Devon Historic Churches Trust was born.
What for? Well, to raise money and offer grants and expertise to all the churches, which until then were struggling in a universe of one.
How the Trust helps care for these marvellous churches
Traditionally we have always directed our Grants to fabric repairs … but in recent years we have also created an Emergency and Small Grant award…
Additionally we now also provide Grants towards refurbishments which facilitate kitchens, adjusted seating, toilets, extra heating and lighting , etc.
Judith Kauntze, Devon Historic Churches Trust
Emergency grants
When a roof suddenly starts leaking, bits start dropping off a tower or a tree falls in a graveyard, there is no time to go through a lengthy grant application process; a delay can be dangerous (look at that tree) or just cause the initial problem to explode into something major in the blink of an eye.
This is where the Trust steps in by giving quick grants up to £1000, which can cover immediate necessities like scaffolding, roof coverings, wall bracing… whatever is most useful. Time to assess the damage, apply for grants, raise funds and get building quotes all the while containing the problem.
And how quick? Within 48 hours of application. Now that is dynamic.
Main grants
Then there are the main grants, given for repairs and conservation. These can be the big money eaters; roofs, windows, rood screens, stained glass, new boilers…
Often the Trust cannot cover these costs from its own pocket, but it can contribute something, help folk fund raise and give valuable advice. More of this later.
All the same, to do this needs good money managements, and
The main grants now average £3000 each – an uptick from £250 twenty years ago.
Judith Kauntze, Devon Historic Churches Trust
Which shows pretty darned good financial care by any standard.
Grants to support the whole community
Meanwhile churches want to be useful to the local communities; refurbishments help them become places for all parishioners, churchgoers or not, and gives the buildings a new lease of life.
Concerts, plays, wine tastings, coffee and cakes, kids’ play, all these need a toilet, a kitchen area, good heating and more…
And these spaces truly can become a place for everybody. I remember a brilliant electric guitar soloist playing one evening in Torbryan church, the acoustics were just astounding; such a delight.
Expertise
And then there is the Trust’s expertise. Local church folk do brilliant work, all volunteer, but they are not listed building conservation specialists and having a source of unbiased expertise immediately available… I panic at a dripping tap, heaven knows what some folk feel when a structural problem raises its head.
But the Trust does not just help with the immediate repair, it shares its knowledge about grant applications, conservation, which professionals are best for which work… basically, they are there for the churches.
And all this for free.
A short case study
So when Stoodleigh church suddenly started having problems with their tower, they contacted the Trust.
The Trust showed them how to save money by using specialists abseiling from the tower top rather than erecting scaffolding, they gave an immediate emergency grant of £1000, offered more specialist advice and followed all this up with a grant for the main repairs of £4000
One cannot overstate the importance of the immediate response by DHCT, for funding the preliminary work needed for projects such as this one and then providing funds for the work to be undertaken
Stoodleigh churchwarden Peter Broadbent
So how does the Trust raise money?
The Trust, which is totally volunteer run, relies on donations and fund raising from parishes and individuals to fund its work.
Friends of the Trust
Folk can become Friends of the Trust for only £20 per year, though most donate more. This gives them access to newsletters and, hopefully when this virus time has quietened down, future events.
One off or regular donations
What it says on the tin. Individuals or organisations donate a regular or a single amount, easily done on their JustGiving page.
Group and individual fund raising
Groups get together for coffees mornings, flower festivals, cream teas litter picking, concerts… all in aid of the Trust, either partly or fully.
Individuals too can get in on the act. Open their garden, run a stall, sponsored activities…
All made easier by being able to have their own JustGiving fund raising page for the trust.
Devon Historic Churches Day
Every year they have a day in September where near all churches through their doors open, often offer extra events (abseiling down the tower, cakes, tours) and everyone works on tasing the profile of our churches ad communities.
Legacies
Finally, legacies, amounts left to the Trust in wills.
Thanks to a wonderful legacy 4 years ago we were able to create our designated Emergency and Small Grant formula and dedicate it specifically for this purpose
Judith Kauntze, Devon Historic Churches Trust
Efficient, helpful and dedicated
For me, there are three things that I really take away from learning about the Trust.
- It is very well run, a very lean operation with all of its income going towards helping the parishes.
- The work is enormous, and never ending. There is just so much to do and keep on doing.
- The dedication of all involved, from the Trust volunteers to the donors and fundraisers, the rural communities, the professionals who repair, conserve and refurbish, just every single individual.
Donations
If you fancy donating then, their page is here:
Any amount is good, and if you can afford a regular monthly amount then even better. Even just £5 per week, about £20 a month, mounts up.
If you want to be a Friend of the Trust, then just write ‘Friend’ in the message box during the donation process.
What’s that? Have I donated?
Yup, sure have.
