Northern Ireland government allocates £200,000 for historic church repairs

The Northern Ireland Department for Communities has announced a £200,000 funding package to support the maintenance and repair of listed church buildings. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons confirmed the grant during a visit to Bloomfield Presbyterian Church in Belfast, which recently utilized a £55,000 grant to restore its stained-glass windows and structural elements.

The National Churches Trust (NCT) will administer the funds, expressing gratitude for the support. The organization has previously raised concerns regarding the financial sustainability of historic religious sites across the United Kingdom, particularly following the government's decision to replace the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme with the Places of Worship Renewal Fund. The NCT and other church leaders have warned that the removal of VAT exemptions on repairs could lead to project cancellations and potential building closures, noting that some institutions have already been forced to transfer ownership of historic properties due to rising maintenance costs.