Places of worship
![A young child in a school uniform looking up and smiling inside a synagogue](/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_desktop/public/media/imgs/Schools%20Workshop%20in%20the%20Synagogue%2C%20image%20by%20Chris%20Payne.JPG.webp?itok=SnTZ0dAA)
Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1995 we have invested more than £970million in places of worship across the UK.
Our funding has helped to conserve and restore buildings so that they can be enjoyed by the wider community. With our support, thousands of people of all faiths have brought the heritage of their place of worship to life.
In Scotland, we continue to work in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland to deliver funding for places of worship.
What sort of project might we fund?
- exploring the building and bringing it to life through new interpretation, alongside necessary repair works
- running heritage learning activities and community events, and creating space for them by carrying out minor alterations to the fabric
- exploring, conserving and interpreting the biodiversity of external spaces including graveyards and cemeteries
- providing better access to heritage by digital means
- community events to involve people in recording the removal, repair and reinstallation of bells, organs, hatchments and benefactor boards, alongside the repairs
- opportunities for people to learn about the art in places of worship, alongside a programme of conservation, such as stained glass, memorials and monuments, wall paintings, statues, historic fixtures or graffiti
- discovery, conservation and learning about the creatures that live in the building, such as bats or birds of prey
- activities to help your group manage heritage more effectively, such as researching existing and new audiences, or trying new approaches to fundraising or income generation
How to get funding
Each of our funding programmes has detailed guidance and further resources to help you apply. Find out whether you are eligible for funding.
You might also want to explore the Listed Places of Worship grants scheme.
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Programme
Covid Recovery Programme for Heritage Organisations (Northern Ireland)
Projects
Teaching traditional building repair skills to church volunteers
Volunteers developed skills to help them maintain their historic places of worship into the future without relying on professional contractors.
Projects
St Mary's Church Goosnargh Heritage and Community Hub in partnership with Goosnargh Whittingham Heritage Group
Preserving the heritage of St Mary's church through community engagement and capital building work.
![The restoration & maintenance of St Matthew's Churchyard, Lightcliffe A group of people wearing outdoor clothes take part in a churchyard heritage walk at St Matthew's Churchyard](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/friends_of_st_matthews_churchyard_heritage_walk.jpg.webp?itok=4D5YiGGJ)
Projects
Restoring St Matthew's churchyard restoration uncovers family history
Our grant helped to restore the churchyard of St Matthew's Church in Lightcliffe.
Projects
The restoration of the historic Nicholson organ at Upton upon Severn
Restoring the church’s Nicholson organ engaged the whole community in a range of heritage activities.
![Restoration and repair of chancel ceiling of Christ Church, Great Ayton Exploring the restoration of Christ Church, Great Ayton](/sites/default/files/styles/hlf_xlarge/public/media/projects/yh-09-06156_manandwall.jpg.webp?itok=ELdvqYNB)
Projects
Restoring Great Ayton's Christ Church
The restoration aimed to preserve key features of Christ Church in Ayton, North Yorkshire, while promoting community engagement.