The Places of Worship Renewal Fund supports essential repairs and improvements to listed places of worship across England. Delivered by Historic England, the fund forms part of the Government’s wider Arts Everywhere investment in arts and culture.
The fund focuses on helping buildings remain safe, open and in active use, with priority given to areas experiencing higher levels of deprivation.
Funding available
A total of £92 million is available over four years, with £23 million distributed annually. Grants are offered at three levels:
- Small grants: £10,000 to £50,000
- Medium grants: £50,001 to £350,000
- Large grants: £350,001 to £1 million
Funding supports capital works that help sustain buildings and widen community use.
What the fund supports
Funding can be used for:
- Urgent repairs such as roofs, masonry, timber and drainage
- Essential improvements including heating, electrics, toilets and step-free access
- Professional fees and surveys linked to eligible works
- Additional works that support long-term sustainability
- Improvements that enable continued and wider community use
Eligibility
Applications are open to listed places of worship in England of any faith or denomination that:
- Are actively used for worship at least six times per year
- Remain a dedicated place of worship
- Can demonstrate that proposed works are necessary and deliverable
Projects must involve Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II listed buildings and align with the fund’s focus on repair, conservation and appropriate adaptation.
Key dates
- First Expression of Interest deadline: 14 June 2026
- Next application round: September 2026
There are two Expression of Interest rounds each year for the first three years of the programme, followed by one round in the final year.