St Helen’s Church, Abbotsham – DHCT Case Study

In February 2024, the PCC of Abbotsham Parish church of St Helen applied to DHCT for funding towards “the estimated cost of repairs to the masonry and fabric of the church tower as fractures to the masonry and mortar have caused damage to the south and west walls of the tower and is allowing ingress of rainwater into the ringing chamber which is undermining the internal timbers”.

A DHCT Assessor visited the church and reported to DHCT Trustees at their Meeting in April. The total estimated project cost, including professional fees, came to £184,836.

In their bid for a grant from DHCT, the PCC identified £171,416 potential income from existing church funds, various grant funders, local fund raising and Friends’ charities. At their Meeting in April 2024, on the recommendation of their Assessor, DHCT awarded a grant of £4,000 towards the PCC’s shortfall. In May the PCC reported that the DHCT grant of £4,000 would help significantly towards the cost of the urgently needed repairs to the church tower roof.

The photos below illustrate that work is progressing well and an invoice from the specialist roofing contractor provided evidence of expenditure on the project.