How can you support our work?
HCT's running costs are currently supported by a 70 per cent grant from English Heritage. The balance has to be found from the Heritage Lottery Fund, grant-giving charities, local organisations, donations and Subscribing Friends. The Historic Chapels Trust is not a grant giving body.
Please complete a membership application form to become a Friend.
Our Chapels
Coanwood Friends Meeting House, Coanwood, near Haltwhistle
Coanwood Friends Meeting House stands in an unpopulated...
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The Historic Chapels Trust (HCT) was established in 1993 to take into ownership redundant chapels and other places of worship in England which are of outstanding architectural importance and historic interest. The object is to secure their preservation, repair and maintenance for public benefit, including contents, burial grounds and ancillary buildings. Buildings of all denominations and faiths can be taken into care with the exception of Anglican churches which are eligible for vesting in the Churches Conservation Trust of the Church of England. HCT's remit embraces
- Nonconformist chapels
- Roman Catholic churches
- synagogues
- buildings of other faiths
HCT buildings are outstanding, graded I or II* on the statutory lists. HCT is also helping to foster greater understanding of its buildings through research, the production of publications and publicity about its activities.
How do we work?
Once HCT has acquired a building an architect is appointed to survey its condition and supervise any necessary repairs and upgrading. Chapels are open to visitors and available for a range of suitable events. HCT encourages the continuance of services of worship on an occasional basis. Alternative uses may also be agreed where appropriate as long as these do not involve unsympathetic alterations. HCT establishes local events management committees for each chapel and actively seeks non-denominational community uses for its buildings, provided the purposes are compatible with the chapel's former religious character.
Latest acquisition
HCT has taken on responsibility of its eighteenth building, Westgate Methodist Chapel in Weardale.