Friends of Friendless Churches
@friendlesschurches.bsky.social
We are the Friends of Friendless Churches — we rescue, repair & protect historic ‘closed’ places of worship in England & Wales.
Pinned
An update from our Director, Rachel Morley, about the upcoming repair projects.
As we look forward to completing repairs at Gumfreston, Llangua, Llanddoged, and Bodwrog, we’re also excited to announce six new repair projects for the 2025–26 financial year.
As we look forward to completing repairs at Gumfreston, Llangua, Llanddoged, and Bodwrog, we’re also excited to announce six new repair projects for the 2025–26 financial year.
Carpenter Daryl Haines talks about his experience of working with Jones & Fraser on the repair programme at St Mary's, Kenderchurch as a part of The King’s Foundation Buildings Craft Programme.
February 9, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Carpenter Daryl Haines talks about his experience of working with Jones & Fraser on the repair programme at St Mary's, Kenderchurch as a part of The King’s Foundation Buildings Craft Programme.
For the past half century we have been caring for this isolated little church, protecting it and its treasures for future generations.
8/8
8/8
February 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
For the past half century we have been caring for this isolated little church, protecting it and its treasures for future generations.
8/8
8/8
Then, in 1978, the old church of St Afran, St Ieuan & St Sannan became the first church in Wales to be taken in our care.
7/8
7/8
February 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Then, in 1978, the old church of St Afran, St Ieuan & St Sannan became the first church in Wales to be taken in our care.
7/8
7/8
The church was thankfully reroofed in 1968 by the Ancient Monuments Division of the Department of the Environment (the predecessor of Cadw).
6/8
6/8
February 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
The church was thankfully reroofed in 1968 by the Ancient Monuments Division of the Department of the Environment (the predecessor of Cadw).
6/8
6/8
The church also fell into ruins in the first half of the 20th century after a new church was built about a mile to the east in 1899.
5/8
5/8
February 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
The church also fell into ruins in the first half of the 20th century after a new church was built about a mile to the east in 1899.
5/8
5/8
On the edge of the churchyard are three derelict stone buildings. This homestead was occupied until the early 20th century and has since fallen into ruins.
4/8
4/8
February 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
On the edge of the churchyard are three derelict stone buildings. This homestead was occupied until the early 20th century and has since fallen into ruins.
4/8
4/8
It is thought that the church was once at the heart of a small settlement, however, that village has long since vanished.
3/8
3/8
February 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
It is thought that the church was once at the heart of a small settlement, however, that village has long since vanished.
3/8
3/8
The old church of St Afran, St Ieuan & St Sannan at Llantrisant is a simple little church, built predominately in the 14th and 17th centuries.
2/8
2/8
February 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
The old church of St Afran, St Ieuan & St Sannan at Llantrisant is a simple little church, built predominately in the 14th and 17th centuries.
2/8
2/8
The medieval church at Llantrisant on Anglesey stands alone, isolated in the fields, with only ruined buildings for company.
1/8
1/8
February 7, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The medieval church at Llantrisant on Anglesey stands alone, isolated in the fields, with only ruined buildings for company.
1/8
1/8
It certainly is! We hope to gain more clarity regarding the funding situation across the four nations soon. Thank you as always for your support!
February 6, 2026 at 10:54 AM
It certainly is! We hope to gain more clarity regarding the funding situation across the four nations soon. Thank you as always for your support!
The recruitment period is now closed.
February 6, 2026 at 10:53 AM
The recruitment period is now closed.
The recruitment period is now closed.
February 6, 2026 at 10:53 AM
The recruitment period is now closed.
The new funding that has been announced is for England only.
To read more about this, please follow the link below to our website: friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/news/a-new-f...
To read more about this, please follow the link below to our website: friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/news/a-new-f...
A new funding stream for churches in England, but details yet to be revealed
New funds announced for English places of worship are great, but detail is needed and where does that leave Wales?
friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk
February 5, 2026 at 5:08 PM
The new funding that has been announced is for England only.
To read more about this, please follow the link below to our website: friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/news/a-new-f...
To read more about this, please follow the link below to our website: friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/news/a-new-f...
The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme enable VAT on repairs to be reclaimed. The scheme was in place since 2001. It was UK-wide, easy to apply for, and scrupulously fair: Westminster Abbey and a tiny church on Anglesey were on a level footing when it came to this scheme.
February 5, 2026 at 5:08 PM
The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme enable VAT on repairs to be reclaimed. The scheme was in place since 2001. It was UK-wide, easy to apply for, and scrupulously fair: Westminster Abbey and a tiny church on Anglesey were on a level footing when it came to this scheme.
At the end of the 20th century, this gem of a church was declared redundant and since then has been cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches.
8/8
All Images © Lily Watts
8/8
All Images © Lily Watts
February 3, 2026 at 1:02 PM
At the end of the 20th century, this gem of a church was declared redundant and since then has been cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches.
8/8
All Images © Lily Watts
8/8
All Images © Lily Watts
The rood screen and lofts were a central part of the devotional and liturgical world of late medieval Catholicism, which was eradicated in Britain during the Reformation of the 16th century.
7/8
7/8
February 3, 2026 at 1:02 PM
The rood screen and lofts were a central part of the devotional and liturgical world of late medieval Catholicism, which was eradicated in Britain during the Reformation of the 16th century.
7/8
7/8
Likely dating from the 15th century, this rood screen and loft would have carried the rood, a carving of Christ on the Cross, alongside depictions of the Virgin Mary and John the Apostle.
6/8
6/8
February 3, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Likely dating from the 15th century, this rood screen and loft would have carried the rood, a carving of Christ on the Cross, alongside depictions of the Virgin Mary and John the Apostle.
6/8
6/8
However, looming over this delightful ensemble of Georgian furniture is the surviving skeletal framework of a medieval rood screen and loft.
5/8
5/8
February 3, 2026 at 1:02 PM
However, looming over this delightful ensemble of Georgian furniture is the surviving skeletal framework of a medieval rood screen and loft.
5/8
5/8
This type of church layout is redolent of that post-Reformation period when the pulpit reign supreme and churches were arranged to reflect the primacy of sermon and scripture.
4/8
4/8
February 3, 2026 at 1:02 PM
This type of church layout is redolent of that post-Reformation period when the pulpit reign supreme and churches were arranged to reflect the primacy of sermon and scripture.
4/8
4/8
Thus, unlike most churches across Britain, here at St David’s, the Georgian interior fittings survive, with panelled box pews gathering around a commanding pulpit.
3/8
3/8
February 3, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Thus, unlike most churches across Britain, here at St David’s, the Georgian interior fittings survive, with panelled box pews gathering around a commanding pulpit.
3/8
3/8
This splendid little medieval church, near Usk in Monmouthshire, was thankfully overlooked by the over-enthusiastic church restorers of the 19th century.
2/8
2/8
February 3, 2026 at 1:02 PM
This splendid little medieval church, near Usk in Monmouthshire, was thankfully overlooked by the over-enthusiastic church restorers of the 19th century.
2/8
2/8
With remnants of a medieval rood screen hovering above rows of Georgian box pews, the interior of St David’s, Llangeview has remained remarkably unaltered since the 18th century.
All Images © Lily Watts
1/8
All Images © Lily Watts
1/8
February 3, 2026 at 1:02 PM
With remnants of a medieval rood screen hovering above rows of Georgian box pews, the interior of St David’s, Llangeview has remained remarkably unaltered since the 18th century.
All Images © Lily Watts
1/8
All Images © Lily Watts
1/8
For information on how to apply. Please follow this link to our website:
friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/news/were-hi...
friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/news/were-hi...
We're Hiring: Volunteer & Community Officer
We need someone who can enthuse, inspire and grow our volunteer base. Apply to join our small, hardworking team by 6 February.
friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk
January 31, 2026 at 6:18 PM
For information on how to apply. Please follow this link to our website:
friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/news/were-hi...
friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/news/were-hi...
The position may be full-time or split into two part-time roles, with flexible, home-based working and regular travel to sites.
📷 Volunteers cleaning the floor at St Mary's, Penllech, Gwynedd
📷 Volunteers cleaning the floor at St Mary's, Penllech, Gwynedd
January 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM
The position may be full-time or split into two part-time roles, with flexible, home-based working and regular travel to sites.
📷 Volunteers cleaning the floor at St Mary's, Penllech, Gwynedd
📷 Volunteers cleaning the floor at St Mary's, Penllech, Gwynedd
The role will also involve taking a lead on our organisation’s health and safety, embedding best practice across all operations and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.
📷 Volunteer Field Officer for Wales, Andrew Pike, cleaning gutters at St David's, Manordeifi
📷 Volunteer Field Officer for Wales, Andrew Pike, cleaning gutters at St David's, Manordeifi
January 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM
The role will also involve taking a lead on our organisation’s health and safety, embedding best practice across all operations and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.
📷 Volunteer Field Officer for Wales, Andrew Pike, cleaning gutters at St David's, Manordeifi
📷 Volunteer Field Officer for Wales, Andrew Pike, cleaning gutters at St David's, Manordeifi