One Step Closer to our Fundraising Goal!

The Belfrey was delighted to hear it had been awarded two more grants totalling £24k towards it’s £10.8m Impact building project, to repair and transform the historically significant Grade I listed church. A grant worth £15k from Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust and £9k from ChurchCare will both be used towards the repairs of St. Michael le Belrey.

Approximately 30% of the total project is focused on carrying out much needed repairs to the medieval church building including: a new roof, repairs to the stonework including the bell turret, repairs to the stained glass and installation of environmental protective glazing. 

The grant from the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT) is the largest they have made since 2015 and makes a valuable contribution towards The Belfrey’s stonework repairs while the grant from ChurchCare (made possible through the Pilgrim and Radcliffe Trusts) helps us conserve our collection of medieval stained glass.

“Every grant we receive is such a blessing to The Belfrey,” explains Andy Baker, Interim Priest in Charge. 

“Impact has been a vision for The Belfrey for a long time and it’s such a joy to see it coming to fruition. We have now raised 90% of the funds necessary and are hopeful our continued fundraising will raise the remainder very soon. A carefully and lovingly repaired church building means it is sustainable for generations to come and will be so much more welcoming, accessible and flexible. Everyone using the building post Impact will be able to appreciate this fine example of perpendicular architecture,” concludes Andy Baker.

"Tom Ramsden, chairman of the YHCT, said he was delighted the trust was able to help with funding repairs to the stonework of this precious church and hopes the donation becomes a catalyst for further support from others."

For anyone wishing to offer their support to Impact, please see belfrey.org/impact.