The Trust (which is an all volunteer organisation) was set up in 1997 to stimulate interest in Surrey churches (of all Christian denominations) and to make grants for their repair and conservation.
The main source of income is the annual sponsored Ride & Stride. Gifts from individuals (including GiftAid and legacies), corporate bodies, and other charitable trusts are also welcome.
The income is distributed via grants to Surrey churches for repairs. Applications are considered at the Trust meetings in April and September each year against the criteria outlined in the Grant Application Form.
Come and find out what our members receive.
You can make a donation in person or online.
The Trustees meet at the end of March and September every year to consider grant applications.
Raise money for church restoration and repair.
LATEST NEWS
RIDE & STRIDE: Small Effort, Big Impact for Surrey’s Churchers
Organised entirely by volunteers, the event has raised more than half a million pounds over the past four decades to support the conservation of Surrey’s churches of all denominations. Importantly, participation in Ride & Stride also unlocks eligibility for churches to apply for valuable SCPT grants of up to £5,000 for church repair and restoration projects.
Recent grant recipients have included St Barnabas, Ranmore; St Andrew’s, Grafham; St Mary’s, Shalford; and St Nicholas, Compton, helping to preserve these important buildings for future generations.
Taking part need not involve a lengthy walk or cycle ride. While many participants enjoy visiting churches across the county on the annual Ride and Stride day (Saturday 12 September 2026), others choose to support the event through coffee mornings, bake sales and other local fundraising activities. Events can take place at any time up to the end of September. Even modest fundraising can have a significant impact. One parish recently raised just £50 through a coffee morning and subsequently qualified for a £3,000 grant towards church building repair work.
Most grant applications are successful, although funding cannot be guaranteed in every case. The message from SCPT is straightforward: Ride and Stride participation creates opportunity.
The Trust is also appealing for new volunteers to help run the charity and its public events. Entirely volunteer-run, the SCPT offers opportunities to gain practical experience in charity management, fundraising, event organisation, marketing, communications, heritage conservation and governance. Younger volunteers can build valuable skills and strengthen their CVs, while retirees can remain active, meet like-minded people and help safeguard Surrey’s rich church heritage.
Whether you choose to walk, cycle, visit churches, host refreshments, organise a community event or volunteer with SCPT, every contribution helps protect Surrey’s remarkable spiritual, architectural and cultural inheritance.
NEW for 2025/26
COFFEE FOR CHURCHES – Brew Support, Build Hope
- Put the kettle on
- Invite friends, neighbours, or your community
- Enjoy a morning of fellowship and cakes
Run your coffee morning anytime and make a lasting difference! Thank you.
FIND OUT ABOUT SURREY’S CHURCH ARCHITECTURE FOR FREE
Watch the video of ‘Revising Pevsner: a new look at Surrey’s church architecture’ – a talk by Charles O’Brien given in November 2022 and coinciding with the publication of the revised Surrey Pevsner Architectural Guide.
You can watch the talk free of charge here: https://youtu.be/fZqdpnzi1L8
The Surrey Churches Preservation Trust is run 100% by volunteers and raises funds to help conserve church buildings across Surrey. We are looking for volunteers and new trustees. Please email scptrichardmorris@gmail.com
The photo shows Charles O’Brien, editor of the Surrey Pevsner Architectural Guide (left) and Hamish Donaldson, Chairman of the Surrey Churches Preservation Trust.
