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.
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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.
The church St John the Baptist’s, Sutterby has the loving care of its local community group (the Spirit of Sutterby) and is open daily for visitors.
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February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
The church St John the Baptist’s, Sutterby has the loving care of its local community group (the Spirit of Sutterby) and is open daily for visitors.
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In addition to our repairs, we commissioned a new pulpit for the church as only a few panels of the old 18th-century pulpit survived. These old panels have were incorporated into the new pulpit, serving as its door and backboard.
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February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
In addition to our repairs, we commissioned a new pulpit for the church as only a few panels of the old 18th-century pulpit survived. These old panels have were incorporated into the new pulpit, serving as its door and backboard.
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These wall paintings include a Royal Arms painted above the chancel screen, most probably during the reign of King Charles II (1660–1685).
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February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
These wall paintings include a Royal Arms painted above the chancel screen, most probably during the reign of King Charles II (1660–1685).
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Since then, we have uncovered some fragments of wall paintings inside the church during our programme of repairs.
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February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Since then, we have uncovered some fragments of wall paintings inside the church during our programme of repairs.
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St John the Baptist’s, Sutterby came into our care in 1981. It was clear that this increasingly derelict medieval structure would have been ‘torn down’ if we hadn’t stepped in to save it.
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February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
St John the Baptist’s, Sutterby came into our care in 1981. It was clear that this increasingly derelict medieval structure would have been ‘torn down’ if we hadn’t stepped in to save it.
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Thereafter, this gem of a medieval church, with its 19th-century rood screen and 14th-century font, faced a decade of uncertainty.
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February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Thereafter, this gem of a medieval church, with its 19th-century rood screen and 14th-century font, faced a decade of uncertainty.
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Miraculously, Sutterby continued as its own parish until the 1930s. Then, in 1971, the church of St John the Baptist’s was declared redundant.
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February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Miraculously, Sutterby continued as its own parish until the 1930s. Then, in 1971, the church of St John the Baptist’s was declared redundant.
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The small village of Sutterby was decimated by the Black Death in the 14th century and had become almost entirely depopulated by the Georgian era.
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February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
The small village of Sutterby was decimated by the Black Death in the 14th century and had become almost entirely depopulated by the Georgian era.
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This is St John the Baptist's church in Sutterby, Lincolnshire. The oldest parts of this diminutive structure date back to the 12th century.
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February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
This is St John the Baptist's church in Sutterby, Lincolnshire. The oldest parts of this diminutive structure date back to the 12th century.
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In the 1970s, this tiny medieval church faced the prospect of demolition. Thankfully we saved it from that fate and it is now cared for by an active and loving group of volunteers.
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February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
In the 1970s, this tiny medieval church faced the prospect of demolition. Thankfully we saved it from that fate and it is now cared for by an active and loving group of volunteers.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The church was thankfully reroofed in 1968 by the Ancient Monuments Division of the Department of the Environment (the predecessor of Cadw).
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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It is thought that the church was once at the heart of a small settlement, however, that village has long since vanished.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The medieval church at Llantrisant on Anglesey stands alone, isolated in the fields, with only ruined buildings for company.
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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.
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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.
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All Images © Lily Watts
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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.
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All Images © Lily Watts
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All Images © Lily Watts