£9 Million to Fix Roofs and Hire Experts: The Church of England Backs Its Parish Buildings

• The Church of England announced £9 million from an £11 million Buildings for Mission fund
• £6.2 million in grants of up to £12,000 per church for urgent repairs
• £2.8 million to fund 30 church buildings support officers
• Six officers will train as apprentices on a specialist course

The Church of England has put £9 million towards keeping its parish churches in repair, it announced in November 2023.

The money comes from an £11 million Buildings for Mission fund. Of the total, £6.2 million will be distributed as grants across 41 dioceses, offering up to £12,000 per church for small-scale urgent repairs and improvements, including preventative “stitch in time” work. The other £2.8 million will fund 30 Church Buildings Support Officers to give specialist advice on managing, conserving, repairing and developing church buildings. Six will be recruited as apprentices on a two-year course at Strode College.

“This funding will help foster robust and flourishing congregations and release resources, energy and potential for mission and outreach,” said Emily Gee, director for cathedrals and church buildings.

Bishop Andrew Rumsey, joint lead bishop for church buildings, said: “This programme aims to reduce the burden of buildings management on parishes and dioceses—through better support arrangements and technical systems.” He added: “With more church buildings officers in dioceses, I believe we can help parishes to apply for external funding and see more churches flourish.”

The approach recognises that small repairs done early are far cheaper than major works later. A blocked gutter or slipped slate can become a rotten roof within a few seasons. Expert advice also helps volunteer-run parishes navigate heritage rules and grant applications.

Jamaican churches can adopt the same principle. Regular inspections, prompt minor repairs and a small maintenance fund protect buildings from far larger bills. Denominations could consider shared building advisers who help congregations plan maintenance, prepare for hurricanes and apply for grants.

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