Norwich Historic Churches Trust

What is the Norwich Historic Churches Trust

The Norwich Historic Churches Trust manages, preserves and maintains many of Norwich’s redundant medieval churches.

The Trust was established in 1973 by Norwich City Council to ensure that the city’s unique collection of medieval churches was preserved from the threat of demolition. It was triggered by a report commissioned by the then Bishop of Norwich suggesting that many of the Norwich city centre churches should be declared redundant due to falling congregations and the heavy cost of maintenance. Accordingly they were at risk of demolition unless they qualified for financial assistance from the Redundant Churches Fund or if no suitable alternative uses could be found.

The freeholds were transferred to Norwich City Council which in turn established the Norwich Historic Churches Trust to hold them. The Trust holds the churches on 99 year leases and is responsible for their repair, maintenance and management. The Trust also has a responsibility to seek new and suitable uses which would count as ‘civic, public or educational purposes or for storage’.

Many of the churches taken over by the Trust were in a poor state of repair but over the last thirty years there have been regular quinquennial inspections followed by a programme of repairs to ensure that all the churches are at least structurally sound and wind and watertight.  This programme has been determined by the availability of funds in any one year and in many instances dependent upon grants either from English Heritage or from the City Council.

Because of financial limitations, the Trust has been unable to tackle often very desirable internal repairs, for instance to some important tombs or wall memorials and the internal decoration has usually been undertaken by the Trust's tenants.

The Trust has concentrated its limited funds on essential maintenance and is in no position to finance adaptation works to any of its buildings, many of which were originally, and in some cases, still are without basic facilities such as heating, lighting and lavatory accommodation.

Since its formation, the Trust has considered a vast number of applications and proposals for its buildings.  Many have not been pursued either because the proposed use would be incompatible with the building or would involve unacceptable alterations to the building or the full cost of adaptation has been beyond the intended tenant's financial resources.

Many of the redundant churches are now in use as can be seen by looking at the details for the individual buildings. Many are imaginative and in a few cases quite unique.  All have involved the tenants raising funds, often through an appeal, in order to meet the capital cost of adaptation.

The Trust's income is derived from its rents and from any grants or donations it is able to attract.  The rents cover the Trust's modest management and administrative expenses, the insurance premiums on unlet churches and minor house-keeping repairs but the Trust is wholly dependent upon grants for all significant repair works.

The Trust is proud of the its achievements over the last 30 years.  The former church buildings, a distinctive part of the City's streetscene, are in considerably better order than they were, even though much still remains to be done.  Most are in alternative use and available for public access.  All are a vital and much cherished part of the City's cultural and architectural heritage.

If you would like to know more about the Norwich Historic Churches Trust, whether it be gaining access to individual buildings, taking on the tenancy of a redundant church or just finding out more about what we do please contact:

The Trust administrator: norhistch.trust@btinternet.com

Tel. 07867 801995