DRONE surveys and urgent repairs are among the projects getting a funding boost after the National Churches Trust received a £250,000 grant from the Department for Communities.
The Trust offers support to help maintain church buildings that are open for regular worship.
It plans to use £200,000 of the government funding boost to go towards repairs and helping churches pay for new toilet and kitchen facilities, with £50,000 to help parishes and congregations developing repair and maintenance projects. This includes using drones to conduct surveys to help identity problems with buildings.
"The money will allow us to keep more church and chapel buildings in Northern Ireland in good repair," said Catherine Townsend from the National Churches Trust.
"That is especially important due to the challenge of Covid-19 and will help churches and chapels play their part in helping local people during these difficult times."
The grant has come through the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division and its Covid-19 support programme.
"This will help catalyse renewal activity and animate communities affected by Covid-19 by working with them to tackle the issues faced by our historic church buildings," said communities minister Deirdre Hargey.
"Churches have been a critical element of the Covid-19 response and it is fitting that they now become part of our renewal through generating new works and transformed spaces."
Since 2018, the National Churches Trust has supported 29 churches in Northern Ireland with funding of £185,000, which has helped with urgent repairs and provision of kitchens and toilets. It's 'Treasure Island' project also encourages tourism initiatives.
More information at www.nationalchurchestrust.org
