Funding for Chancel Roof Repairs 

5th September 2025

We are delighted to announce that we have been granted £40,000 from the National Churches Trust, £5,000 from the Wolfson Foundation and £5,000 from the Headley Trust towards the chancel roof repairs at St Andrew's Kildwick, along with Christ Church Oxford contributing roughly 50% of the costs as well.

The press release from the National Churches Trust reads:

1000+ year old Kildwick church get grants to stop chancel ceiling from collapsing – could've been forced to close without this support

 
Time has been ticking down for the team at Kildwick, St Andrew’s church in North Yorkshire to fix their chancel roof before it collapses. The church was able to get permission from the Chancellor for the Diocese to put a temporary net below the ceiling, to catch any falling masonry and protect visitors.
 
Having the net up has given the church time to fundraise to fix the roof. All repairs for churches – across the UK – are funded by the congregation and local people.
 
The Grade I Listed building can trace its history back to 950 and is still relevant to its community today. The church is open seven days a week and hosts everything from parent and toddler groups to school visits to archaeologist, scouts and guides groups.
 
But without the net, the church would be forced to close due to the ceiling posing a significant health and safety hazard.  And time is nearly up on the net.
 
The church has survived 1000+ years of history, including events such as the reformation, but could have been forced to close its doors due to the lack of funds to pay for urgent repairs.
 
Thankfully help is at hand. The church is to share in a £1 million pound urgent pay out from the National Churches Trust, designed to keep UK churches open and in use. The church will receive a £40,000 grant from the National Churches Trust. On the recommendation of the National Churches Trust, St Andrew will also receive a £5,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation and a £5,000 grant from the Headley Trust.
 
Three grants for this magnificent much-loved local church – meaning that it can save its chancel ceiling from collapse. It’s gone from nearly being forced to close to having a much brighter future.
 
Local people will also benefit from this grant, as it is looking to host even more groups in the building. This includes different support groups that will help people with addictions, loneliness and bereavement.
 
St Andrew is also excited to work with the North Yorkshire Council to help increase tourism to the area by promoting the church as a heritage attraction. In doing so, this can boost the local economy, which is much needed during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
 
Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said:  
 
"The National Churches Trust is delighted to be able to support St Andrew to enable them to carry out urgent repairs to their beautiful building. Not only will this protect this important heritage, but it will help to keep the church building open and serving local people.” 
 
“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today and tomorrow.”  
 
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said:  
 
"Churches have a crucial role as places of worship – but they also serve as integral parts of our communities, and not least as custodians of heritage. We are pleased to continue our partnership with the National Churches Trust to help safeguard these important, beautiful buildings for future generations."
 
Rev’d Mike Green, vicar of St Andrew’s, said:
 
"We are incredibly grateful for these grants, which have come at a crucial time for our church and community. The roof of our chancel was in such a dire state that we were on the brink of closing it to visitors. This would have meant cancelling at least two weddings and facing the very real possibility of the roof collapsing entirely. Such an event would have been devastating, not just for our church but for the entire local community. The closure of the church would have put our heritage at risk and jeopardised all the community work we do.
Thanks to the generous support, we can now begin the much-needed repairs immediately. We are hopeful that the work will be completed in time for us to celebrate Christmas with a sound roof for the first time in nearly 15 years. This grant means that our church can continue to be a place of worship, a hub for community activities, and a symbol of our shared history. It ensures that we can keep our doors open and continue to serve and support our community in countless ways."
 
How the grant will help the church 
 
All of the damaged and failing plaster on the chancel ceiling will be replaced. Insulation will be added to the chancel roof as the slate is repaired.
 
More about the church and the heritage that is at risk
 
The presence of early Saxon crosses speak of a stone building that must have existed on the site dating back to around the year 950. The remaining fragments of these crosses can still be seen in the church today!
 
In 1086, the Domesday book has a reference to church. It reads: ‘In Kildwick Arnketil, 2 carucates to the geld and 1 church.’ There is some stonework from this period in the bases of two pillars inside the church.
 
The church has gone through many changes over the years, reflecting the changes in religion in the UK. Sometime between 1135 and 1140 Cecily de Romily granted the church to the Priory at Embsay, beginning a monastic connection, which lasted until the Dissolution of Bolton Priory by King Henry VIII.
 
At the rear of the church, you will find an effigy of Knight Templar, Robert of Styveton of this parish.

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