Covid-19 was devastating for many churches, but for one Mousehole Methodist Church it changed everything.

While the church had been closed, dry rot had set in. The inside of church is mainly beautiful Georgian timber – but this had all rotted. Staircases, floorboards, panelling and pews were now crumbling and unstable. The building was unsafe to use. 

Before Covid-19, the church had been open daily and hosted many community groups, including choirs, coffee mornings and bazaars. The church is the only community space in the village, so it is a lifeline to many. 

The church found that a disused water tank under the church floors had caused the damp – along with poor gutters and drainage, which had led to the destruction of the historical woodwork. 

Thankfully, help is on hand as the much-loved church is to share in a £735,326 urgent funding payout from the National Churches Trust.  A £40,000 National Churches Trust Grant will help to pay for urgent repairs to the church to help make the church safe again.

On the recommendation of the National Churches Trust, the church will also receive a £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation. By replacing the woodwork, the church will be made safe again to reopen as an important local worship and community hub. 

Once the repairs are finished, the church are looking to how their church building can support people who are suffering from food or fuel poverty – a pressing local issue. They are also planning to use the building as a warm space too.  

Mousehole Methodist church is a fairly large Wesleyan chapel, which was built in 1833 on the site of a 1783 chapel. It has been built in a classical style and has a beautiful galleried auditorium. The stained glass windows in the church date back to 1905.  

The church has a commemorative corner dedicated to the lost Penlee lifeboat and her crew. The church still regularly holds special services to commemorate this.  

Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said:  “We are delighted to be able to support Mousehole Methodist Church 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:  “Historic churches, essential to their communities, often face substantial challenges alongside expensive maintenance and repairs. We are delighted to continue to partner with the National Churches Trust to ensure these cherished buildings are preserved and maintained for future worshippers and visitors.”  

Sylvia Pezzack, treasurer at Mousehole Methodist Church, said: “After many months of wondering if there would be sufficient funds to be able to refurbish Mousehole Methodist Church, the members were delighted to learn that they had been awarded a generous grant of £40,000 grant from the National Churches Trust, which has also been enhanced by a further £10,000 from the Wolfson Foundation.” 

“The problems of dry/wet rot started during lockdown and, since its closure for Health and Safety reasons, has escalated. The members have been able to continue their worship thanks to the generosity of the Parish Church in the adjacent village of Paul who have allowed to members to meet in the Parish Hall.” 

“This grant, along with the proceeds realised from the sale of the Sunday School building, will allow for the refurbishment of our beautiful building. We extend our grateful thanks to the National Churches Trust for giving us hope for the future through their generous award.”

87 churches across the UK will stay open and in good repair thanks to £735,326 – almost ¾ of a million pounds – of funding awarded and recommended by the National Churches Trust in this latest round of grants.

The National Churches Trust helps churches through our extensive grants programme. Grants are available for churches of any Christian denomination that are open for regular worship to fund urgent repairs, maintenance, installing toilets or kitchens and feasibility studies to develop projects. Full details are at: nationalchurchestrust.org/grants