| |
|
The Norfolk Churches Trust exists in order to protect through financial aid and advice the many architecturally precious religious monuments of the county. Norfolk contains the greatest concentration of medieval churches in the world and were built as a result of the vast wealth created by wool. Of the 921 that were originally built, 659 remain: a testament to their skilful construction from flint – one of the most unforgiving materials, in a region devoid of freestone.
Not only are these beautiful, internationally important buildings but also they contain hundreds of medieval works of art and craftsmanship – painted screens, frescos and intricate carved woodwork and roofs. They punctuate the relatively flat Norfolk landscape with characteristic spire-less towers often round: a distinctive characteristic of the county. They are the visual and spiritual focus of their villages and have been since the timber churches of Saxon times.
| The Norfolk Churches Trust was established in 1976 as a result of
the threat of redundancy and in
some cases demolition of
medieval churches. A shrinking
and changing rural population
with spiralling building costs have made the upkeep of the fabric of these churches
an impossible burden for many small congregations. |
 |
Norfolk is composed of a multitude of small villages. Each had several shops and a pub which fulfilled the day to day needs of the parishioners. These have now disappeared, leaving the church as the only enduring building belonging to the people of the parish and representing them and their predecessors over more than 1000 years.
The Trust is registered as a Charity (271176) and a Limited Company (247797). It is also registered as an Environmental Body (111076) for the purpose of administering the Landfill Communities Fund. |
|
There are currently ten Directors/Trustees with an
Advisory Council of fifty drawn from the county.
Meetings take place four times each year when
applications for grants are considered. Last year
(2008/9) the Trust awarded £275,585 grants to 62
churches.
The Trust also leases from the Diocese thirteen
churches no longer serving as parish churches. These
have been repaired and made wind and watertight.
The most recently received churches are still in the
process of being repaired with the help of volunteers,
contractors and appointed architects. Occasional
services are held by permitted clergy and thus
continue in use for worship.
Funding of these activities is from many sources
including the County Council, some District
Councils, the annual Bicycle Ride, membership,
donations, legacies, investments and WREN (Waste
Recycling Environmental). Several events are held
during the year and may include Stately Car Boot
Sale, Plant Sale, Opera Evenings and Speaker Dinners.
| The annual report is usually published in August each year.
|
 |
As county churches trust we are mindful of other Christian denominations and assist as well as Anglican churches Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Free and Orthodox churches. Our interests are not solely for the historic and architectural and will sympathetically consider all ages and denominations.
The Trust aim is to help the churches with advice and financial assistance to continue their many centuries old purpose – to remain open as places of worship. |
