Brief reports on recent church projects (underway or completed), large scale rennovation, small or emergency repairs or change of use.
Grants awarded in July 2026
Bovey Tracey, St Peter, St Paul & St Thomas
£3,500
Tavistock, Our Lady of the Assumpton
£5,000
Offwell, St Mary
£4,000
Barnstaple, St Peter & St Mary
£5,000
Total
£17,500
Grants awarded in April 2026
St Michael, Ilsington
£5,000
St Andrew’s, Moretonhampstead
£5,000
St Budeaux, Plymouth
£3,000
St Mary’s, Rattery
£3,000
St Mary w St Andrew, Rockbeare
£4,000
St Michael & All Angels, Wembworthy
£2,000
Total
£22,000
Grants awarded in January 2026
St Michael the Archangel, West Hill
£3,000
St Peter & St Paul, Ermington
£2,500
St Petroc’s, South Brent
£5,000
St Nicholas, Dunkeswell
£2,500
Christ Church, Paignton
£3,930
Total
£16,930
Grants awarded in July 2025
St Mary’s, Cofton
£3,000
Crediton Congregational Church
£2,000
St Matthew’s, Landscove
£2,500
The Church of Our Lady, Upton Pyne
£1,000
St Lawrence, Southleigh
£2,000
St John the Baptist, Broadclyst
£3,000
St Peter & St James, Halwill
£3,000
Total
£19,500
Grants awarded in April 2025
Okehampton, St James Chapel
£3,000
Sheepstor, St Leonard’s
£4,000
Totnes Free Church
£5,000
Shirwell, St Peter’s
£3,000
Stoke Rivers, St Bartholomew
£5,000
Walkhampton, St Mary
£2,000
Thurlestone, All Saints
£5,000
Ottery St Mary
£4,000
Bickington, St Mary’s
£6,000
Upton Pyne, Church of our Lady
£2,000
Total
£41,000
Project update: St Mary the Virgin, Walkhampton
DHCT approved a grant towards various refurbishment work including carpentry, installation of a spiral staircase and a much needed easy access toliet.
-
- St Mary's Church Walkhampton easy access toilet
-
- St Mary's Church Walkhampton, spiral staircase installed
-
- St Mary's Church Walkhampton various works
-
- St Mary's Church Walkhampton refurbmishment
Project update: Broadhembury Church of St Andrew Apostle and Martyr
Broadhembury Parish Church is a Medieval church in the heart of a conservation area, nestled under an Iron Age fort within the Blackdown Hills AONB. The 100-foot 15th-century tower means that the historic building is prominent in the local landscape.
The Churchwarden told us that “the 14th Century church is the spiritual and community heart of Broadhembury village, Devon.” He submitted an application form to DHCT for funding towards an est. £38,000 shortfall dependent on the out come of grant bids to 17 other grant giving charities. A DHCT Assessor reported to DHCT Trustees that:
“Over the years, the roof has been patched (apparently 21 times since 2018) but they really need to replace all the lead covering over the chancel, along with associated timber repairs. The south wall of the chancel is stained with damp and I saw five buckets by the altar to catch the drips! At least they are addressing the problem before it causes secondary (and more expensive) problems.”
He recommended a grant award of £3,500 paid on receipt of a copy invoice from the roofing contractor on completion.
Project update: Abbotskerswell Church of St Mary
DHCT’s Grant Assessor for Torbay met the Churchwarden in March to discuss internal structural masonry repairs estimated at costing £9,000. Their application form was accompanied by drawings and a report by their consultant Architect. A Faculty had been granted and Listed Places of Worship:VAT grant included in their costings, that showed a shortfall of £5,000. At the Grant Assessor’s recommendation,
Trustees approved a grant of £2,500.
Project update: Dean Prior Parish Church of St George the Martyr
DHCT approved a grant of £3,000 towards repair of the South Tower door and to the lychgate.
-
- Dean Prior Parish Church Lychgate repairs needed
-
- Dean Prior Parish Church South Tower Door In need of repair
-
- Dean Prior Parish Church repairs needed
-
- Dean Prior Parish Church of St George the Martyr
Grants awarded in January 2025
| Church or Chapel | Grant awarded |
|---|---|
| Burrington, Holy Trinity | £5,000 |
| Hatherleigh, St John the Baptist | £6,000 |
| North Tawton, St Peter’s | £4,500 |
| Upottery, St Mary the Virgin | £2,000 |
| Total | £17,500 |
Grants awarded in October 2024
| Church or Chapel | Grant awarded |
|---|---|
| Branscombe, St Winifred | £3,000 |
| Stoke Damerel, St Andrew & St Luke | £6,000 |
| Stokeinteignhead, St Andrew | £2,000 |
| Shillingford St George, St George | £2,000 |
| Combpyne, St Mary the Virgin | £2,000 |
| Meeth, St Michael & All Angels | £3,500 |
| Shute, St Michael’s | £3,000 (windows) |
| Total | £21,500 |
Project update: Chawleigh Parish Church of St James
I recently visited Chawleigh Parish Church of St James to view the poor state of the interior plasterwork caused by failed guttering (pictures 2 & 4), slipped roof slates (picture 3) and roof lead work. Here’s a brief report…
DHCT awarded a grant of £6,000 in total towards the cost of replacing slates, roof lead work, conservation work to the base of the rood screen, interior decoration and creation of a refreshment area in the north west corner. A picture below taken by Churchwarden, Andrew Walton, illustrates the church after completion of the roof repair work and scaffolding taken down (picture 1). Also illustrated is the congregation enjoying refreshments in the new, custom built, refreshment area in the decorated north west corner (picture 5).
The pictures below illustrate the before and after of the project.
Lee Ann Martin: DHCT Assessor & Member
-
- The finished repairs at St Jame's Church, Chawleigh
-
- Poor state of the interior plasterwork caused by failed guttering at St Jame's Church, Chawleigh
-
- Slipped roof slates at St Jame's Church, Chawleigh
-
- Failed guttering at St Jame's Church, Chawleigh
-
- New, custom built, refreshment area in the decorated north west corner of St Jame's Church, Chawleigh
Project update: Rose Ash Parish Church of St Peter
DHCT awarded £5,000 towards the cost of the nine gable coping stones that need replacing on the South porch, main East gable copings and side East gable copings. The PCC’s Project Manager, Murray Hammick, said:
“Saving rural English churches in small villages might not hit the national headlines, but it is so very, very important to communities such as ours, and we very much appreciate DHCT’s help.”
-
- Rose Ash Church gable end before repair
-
- Rose Ash Stonemasons
-
- Rose Ash Church stone
-
- Rose Ash Church new gable
-
- Rose Ash Church new gable end
Project update: St Helen’s Church, Abbotsham
Abbotsham Parish church of St Helen is Grade II* early 13 century with a c.1300 tower, restored in 1870. Within the North Devon National Landscape, the church is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean. In May the PCC reported that the DHCT grant of £4,000 will help significantly towards the cost of the urgently needed repairs to the church tower roof. Work is progressing well and an invoice from the specialist roofing contractor provided evidence of expenditure on the project.
Project update: Trusham Parish Church
In April 2024 DHCT Trustees approved a grant of £2,000 towards tower and lychgate repairs. Trusham village was the family home of the Cornish poet Charles Causley. His poem ‘Trusham’ is inscribed on slate in the village square.
Project update: Hatherleigh – St John the Baptist Church
DHCT approved a grant of £5,000 in 2022 towards roof and timber repairs and in April 2024 a further £4,000 towards rewiring and water supply.
Project update: St James the Less Church, Teignmouth
St James the Less on the South coast at Teignmouth was awarded £3000 for urgent repairs to eroded masonry at the South East (sea facing) window of the Nave. The grant was paid on completion of the work by the stonemason. Later during the year, the Trustees awarded a further grant of £1,000 towards the cost of a survey and feasibility report on the poor condition of the octagonal roof Lantern. A major fundraising challenge lies ahead before repair work can be considered.
Lee Ann Martin: DHCT Assessor & Member
Image: © Google Maps
Project update: Clayhidon Church of St Andrew
Clayhidon Church is an attractive Grade 1 listed and isolated church in a rural parish on the northern escarpment of the Blackdown Hills. The parish is sparsely populated. It had an ancient 1960s electrical central heating system powered by 5 immersion heaters which even after 6 hours, merely warmed the void above the nave.
Following consultation with the Archdeacon, the Diocesan heating advisor and Nigel Pratt, the DAC secretary, the PCC appointed an approved and experienced electrical contractor to upgrade the electrical system and install an under-pew heating system.
After taking into account the generous donation of £2,000 from each of two church members, Gift Aid claims and reclaim VAT through the Listed Places of Worship: VAT Grant, the PCC had a shortfall of £3,000. The DHCT Trustees were pleased to approve £1,000 towards the shortfall to help the community reach their shortfall target.
Lee Ann Martin: DHCT Assessor & Member
-
- Clayhidon St. Andrews pew before works
-
- Clayhidon St. Andrews pew before works
-
- Clayidon Church under pew heaters installed
-
- Clayidon Church under pew heaters installed
-
- Clayidon Church under pew heaters installed
Project update: Modbury Parish Church of St George
The Grade 1 listed church was re-roofed some five years ago but the interior needed some TLC. The project aim is to create a warm and flexible space for the whole community, a versatile and accessible space serving the needs of the community and groups including a choral group, orchestra or scout group. The church had been closed throughout 2023 while work to future-proof the historic landmark building progressed. The reordering includes a new heating system, new electrics system and the restored interior. DHCT made two awards of £5,000 over 30 months. The first award was made in 2021 towards Phase 1 groundworks and the second in October 2023 towards materials and contractors for repair of walls & ceilings. Carpentry included a new glass front door and oak frame and renovation of the choir stalls. Emma Romney, IT Treasurer, told us that:
“The PCC at St George’s and the Amazing Spaces Project Team are absolutely thrilled that you have been able to support them with this significant grant and we are very grateful. The money will help make the whole project affordable and of course will enable us to preserve Modbury’s beautiful historic church for future generations.”
The project has been a long time in the making and involved numerous consultees. including the Diocese, architect, archaeologists, Historic England, the Victorian Society, SPAB. The original stone in the aisles has been retained exactly where it was as some of it is believed to be of historic significance and may have been laid there during the Norman period.
Lee Ann Martin: DHCT Assessor & Member
-
- Modbury Church, 2024: before the works
-
- Modbury Church, 2024: after the works
-
- Preparation for works at Modbury Church
-
- Significant works at Modubry Church
-
- Craftsmen at work at Modbury Church
-
- Removal of pew bases at Modbury Church
-
- Preparing the floor at Modbury Church
-
- Screeding the floor at Modbury Church
-
- Modbury Parish Church Of St George underfloor heating
-
- Modbury Parish Church Of St George refurbishment
Grants awarded in July 2026
Bovey Tracey, St Peter, St Paul & St Thomas
£3,500
Tavistock, Our Lady of the Assumpton
£5,000
Offwell, St Mary
£4,000
Barnstaple, St Peter & St Mary
£5,000
Total
£17,500
Grants awarded in April 2026
St Michael, Ilsington
£5,000
St Andrew’s, Moretonhampstead
£5,000
St Budeaux, Plymouth
£3,000
St Mary’s, Rattery
£3,000
St Mary w St Andrew, Rockbeare
£4,000
St Michael & All Angels, Wembworthy
£2,000
Total
£22,000
Grants awarded in January 2026
St Michael the Archangel, West Hill
£3,000
St Peter & St Paul, Ermington
£2,500
St Petroc’s, South Brent
£5,000
St Nicholas, Dunkeswell
£2,500
Christ Church, Paignton
£3,930
Total
£16,930
Grants awarded in July 2025
St Mary’s, Cofton
£3,000
Crediton Congregational Church
£2,000
St Matthew’s, Landscove
£2,500
The Church of Our Lady, Upton Pyne
£1,000
St Lawrence, Southleigh
£2,000
St John the Baptist, Broadclyst
£3,000
St Peter & St James, Halwill
£3,000
Total
£19,500
Grants awarded in April 2025
Okehampton, St James Chapel
£3,000
Sheepstor, St Leonard’s
£4,000
Totnes Free Church
£5,000
Shirwell, St Peter’s
£3,000
Stoke Rivers, St Bartholomew
£5,000
Walkhampton, St Mary
£2,000
Thurlestone, All Saints
£5,000
Ottery St Mary
£4,000
Bickington, St Mary’s
£6,000
Upton Pyne, Church of our Lady
£2,000
Total
£41,000
Project update: St Mary the Virgin, Walkhampton
DHCT approved a grant towards various refurbishment work including carpentry, installation of a spiral staircase and a much needed easy access toliet.
-
- St Mary's Church Walkhampton easy access toilet
-
- St Mary's Church Walkhampton, spiral staircase installed
-
- St Mary's Church Walkhampton various works
-
- St Mary's Church Walkhampton refurbmishment
Project update: Broadhembury Church of St Andrew Apostle and Martyr
Broadhembury Parish Church is a Medieval church in the heart of a conservation area, nestled under an Iron Age fort within the Blackdown Hills AONB. The 100-foot 15th-century tower means that the historic building is prominent in the local landscape.
The Churchwarden told us that “the 14th Century church is the spiritual and community heart of Broadhembury village, Devon.” He submitted an application form to DHCT for funding towards an est. £38,000 shortfall dependent on the out come of grant bids to 17 other grant giving charities. A DHCT Assessor reported to DHCT Trustees that:
“Over the years, the roof has been patched (apparently 21 times since 2018) but they really need to replace all the lead covering over the chancel, along with associated timber repairs. The south wall of the chancel is stained with damp and I saw five buckets by the altar to catch the drips! At least they are addressing the problem before it causes secondary (and more expensive) problems.”
He recommended a grant award of £3,500 paid on receipt of a copy invoice from the roofing contractor on completion.
Project update: Abbotskerswell Church of St Mary
DHCT’s Grant Assessor for Torbay met the Churchwarden in March to discuss internal structural masonry repairs estimated at costing £9,000. Their application form was accompanied by drawings and a report by their consultant Architect. A Faculty had been granted and Listed Places of Worship:VAT grant included in their costings, that showed a shortfall of £5,000. At the Grant Assessor’s recommendation,
Trustees approved a grant of £2,500.
Project update: Dean Prior Parish Church of St George the Martyr
DHCT approved a grant of £3,000 towards repair of the South Tower door and to the lychgate.
-
- Dean Prior Parish Church Lychgate repairs needed
-
- Dean Prior Parish Church South Tower Door In need of repair
-
- Dean Prior Parish Church repairs needed
-
- Dean Prior Parish Church of St George the Martyr
Grants awarded in January 2025
| Church or Chapel | Grant awarded |
|---|---|
| Burrington, Holy Trinity | £5,000 |
| Hatherleigh, St John the Baptist | £6,000 |
| North Tawton, St Peter’s | £4,500 |
| Upottery, St Mary the Virgin | £2,000 |
| Total | £17,500 |
Grants awarded in October 2024
| Church or Chapel | Grant awarded |
|---|---|
| Branscombe, St Winifred | £3,000 |
| Stoke Damerel, St Andrew & St Luke | £6,000 |
| Stokeinteignhead, St Andrew | £2,000 |
| Shillingford St George, St George | £2,000 |
| Combpyne, St Mary the Virgin | £2,000 |
| Meeth, St Michael & All Angels | £3,500 |
| Shute, St Michael’s | £3,000 (windows) |
| Total | £21,500 |
Project update: Chawleigh Parish Church of St James
I recently visited Chawleigh Parish Church of St James to view the poor state of the interior plasterwork caused by failed guttering (pictures 2 & 4), slipped roof slates (picture 3) and roof lead work. Here’s a brief report…
DHCT awarded a grant of £6,000 in total towards the cost of replacing slates, roof lead work, conservation work to the base of the rood screen, interior decoration and creation of a refreshment area in the north west corner. A picture below taken by Churchwarden, Andrew Walton, illustrates the church after completion of the roof repair work and scaffolding taken down (picture 1). Also illustrated is the congregation enjoying refreshments in the new, custom built, refreshment area in the decorated north west corner (picture 5).
The pictures below illustrate the before and after of the project.
Lee Ann Martin: DHCT Assessor & Member
-
- The finished repairs at St Jame's Church, Chawleigh
-
- Poor state of the interior plasterwork caused by failed guttering at St Jame's Church, Chawleigh
-
- Slipped roof slates at St Jame's Church, Chawleigh
-
- Failed guttering at St Jame's Church, Chawleigh
-
- New, custom built, refreshment area in the decorated north west corner of St Jame's Church, Chawleigh
Project update: Rose Ash Parish Church of St Peter
DHCT awarded £5,000 towards the cost of the nine gable coping stones that need replacing on the South porch, main East gable copings and side East gable copings. The PCC’s Project Manager, Murray Hammick, said:
“Saving rural English churches in small villages might not hit the national headlines, but it is so very, very important to communities such as ours, and we very much appreciate DHCT’s help.”
-
- Rose Ash Church gable end before repair
-
- Rose Ash Stonemasons
-
- Rose Ash Church stone
-
- Rose Ash Church new gable
-
- Rose Ash Church new gable end
Project update: St Helen’s Church, Abbotsham
Abbotsham Parish church of St Helen is Grade II* early 13 century with a c.1300 tower, restored in 1870. Within the North Devon National Landscape, the church is exposed to the Atlantic Ocean. In May the PCC reported that the DHCT grant of £4,000 will help significantly towards the cost of the urgently needed repairs to the church tower roof. Work is progressing well and an invoice from the specialist roofing contractor provided evidence of expenditure on the project.
Project update: Trusham Parish Church
In April 2024 DHCT Trustees approved a grant of £2,000 towards tower and lychgate repairs. Trusham village was the family home of the Cornish poet Charles Causley. His poem ‘Trusham’ is inscribed on slate in the village square.
Project update: Hatherleigh – St John the Baptist Church
DHCT approved a grant of £5,000 in 2022 towards roof and timber repairs and in April 2024 a further £4,000 towards rewiring and water supply.
Project update: St James the Less Church, Teignmouth
St James the Less on the South coast at Teignmouth was awarded £3000 for urgent repairs to eroded masonry at the South East (sea facing) window of the Nave. The grant was paid on completion of the work by the stonemason. Later during the year, the Trustees awarded a further grant of £1,000 towards the cost of a survey and feasibility report on the poor condition of the octagonal roof Lantern. A major fundraising challenge lies ahead before repair work can be considered.
Lee Ann Martin: DHCT Assessor & Member
Image: © Google Maps
Project update: Clayhidon Church of St Andrew
Clayhidon Church is an attractive Grade 1 listed and isolated church in a rural parish on the northern escarpment of the Blackdown Hills. The parish is sparsely populated. It had an ancient 1960s electrical central heating system powered by 5 immersion heaters which even after 6 hours, merely warmed the void above the nave.
Following consultation with the Archdeacon, the Diocesan heating advisor and Nigel Pratt, the DAC secretary, the PCC appointed an approved and experienced electrical contractor to upgrade the electrical system and install an under-pew heating system.
After taking into account the generous donation of £2,000 from each of two church members, Gift Aid claims and reclaim VAT through the Listed Places of Worship: VAT Grant, the PCC had a shortfall of £3,000. The DHCT Trustees were pleased to approve £1,000 towards the shortfall to help the community reach their shortfall target.
Lee Ann Martin: DHCT Assessor & Member
-
- Clayhidon St. Andrews pew before works
-
- Clayhidon St. Andrews pew before works
-
- Clayidon Church under pew heaters installed
-
- Clayidon Church under pew heaters installed
-
- Clayidon Church under pew heaters installed
Project update: Modbury Parish Church of St George
The Grade 1 listed church was re-roofed some five years ago but the interior needed some TLC. The project aim is to create a warm and flexible space for the whole community, a versatile and accessible space serving the needs of the community and groups including a choral group, orchestra or scout group. The church had been closed throughout 2023 while work to future-proof the historic landmark building progressed. The reordering includes a new heating system, new electrics system and the restored interior. DHCT made two awards of £5,000 over 30 months. The first award was made in 2021 towards Phase 1 groundworks and the second in October 2023 towards materials and contractors for repair of walls & ceilings. Carpentry included a new glass front door and oak frame and renovation of the choir stalls. Emma Romney, IT Treasurer, told us that:
“The PCC at St George’s and the Amazing Spaces Project Team are absolutely thrilled that you have been able to support them with this significant grant and we are very grateful. The money will help make the whole project affordable and of course will enable us to preserve Modbury’s beautiful historic church for future generations.”
The project has been a long time in the making and involved numerous consultees. including the Diocese, architect, archaeologists, Historic England, the Victorian Society, SPAB. The original stone in the aisles has been retained exactly where it was as some of it is believed to be of historic significance and may have been laid there during the Norman period.
Lee Ann Martin: DHCT Assessor & Member
-
- Modbury Church, 2024: before the works
-
- Modbury Church, 2024: after the works
-
- Preparation for works at Modbury Church
-
- Significant works at Modubry Church
-
- Craftsmen at work at Modbury Church
-
- Removal of pew bases at Modbury Church
-
- Preparing the floor at Modbury Church
-
- Screeding the floor at Modbury Church
-
- Modbury Parish Church Of St George underfloor heating
-
- Modbury Parish Church Of St George refurbishment