Diocese has given more than £5million to parish projects

More than £5million has been handed out by the diocese to parishes since the Development Fund was launched in 2019. In the latest round, 15 grants were made, totalling £254,462,…

9 October 2025

More than £5million has been handed out by the diocese to parishes since the Development Fund was launched in 2019.

In the latest round, 15 grants were made, totalling £254,462, to a range of projects including two parish nurse schemes as well as a science and faith interactive exhibition. This brings the total given out in 2025 to £524,730 with one more round to go.

The fund was established in 2019 to divulge up to £1million a year for the growing needs of communities in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes. The awards announced this month feature a mix of both Tier 1 (up to £2,500) and Tier 2 (over £2,500 or employing staff). Since then 284 grants have been made.

Bishop Gavin said: “There is much to celebrate in reaching this milestone! Hundreds of local churches across the diocese have received support to turn their missional inspiration into a reality. It is heartening to see the Holy Spirit at work in all of these different places, bringing God’s message of peace and love to all who need to hear it.”

St Peter’s Church in Quarrendon applied to the Fund for £52,000 to provide some of the costs for the five-year project, after they identified the impact a parish nurse could have in the area.

The Revd Pete Wheeler said: “It is a fantastic preventative measure that creates community cohesion. We are in one of the estates which Opportunity Bucks have highlighted as one of the 10 most deprived areas in the county. Having the grant from the Development fund really strengthens our application to the Council.

“It is a great thing to have the Development Fund to seed projects like this. This is one of the best things about having the development fund to support churches, to get things like this off the ground.”

It is hoped a further £55,000 will be provided by Buckinghamshire Council to add to £32,000 granted by the Benefact Trust and £20,000 from the National Lottery.

The Revd Prof Adrian Low, of All Saints Emberton, submitted an application for a Tier 1 grant of £2,000 to create a mobile space, quantum mechanics and Christian faith exhibition.

He said: “I love doing science and Christian faith because it makes light bulbs go off in people’s heads about how God works. This makes people realise not everything can be explained away by science and we are dealing with that hole in science, with that quantum randomness.

“Once the Development Fund grant came in I felt that I had the diocese behind me, that made a big difference.”

The full list of grants is:

St Matthew’s, Midgham – to enhance the worship of those with some hearing difficulties by installing an audio system and induction loop.
St John’s Woodley – to establish a welcoming hub for home educating families, where families can gather, connect and experience the warmth and welcome of Christian community.
St Edmund and St George, Hethe – to install a new noticeboard on Main Street in order to advertise events, share the Good News and help create a sense of community and belonging.
Church of the Good Shepherd, Southcourt – to enable those who cannot attend services to participate and to involve young people in volunteering by purchasing new equipment for livestreaming services.
St Peter’s, Aylesbury – to bring wholeness and hope to the people around us through encountering Jesus by employing a parish nurse.
All Saints, Emberton – to raise awareness and grow understanding of issues around science and faith by creating a mobile Space, Quantum Mechanics and Christian Faith Exhibition.
St Mary’s, Hitcham – to build bridges between church and community, reconnect with local families and grow discipleship opportunities by employing a Pioneer Children and Families’ Minister.
Wantage Parish – to oversee our mission to under-18s and their families and serve their spiritual needs by employing a Youth and Children’s Minister.
St Francis of Assisi, Terriers – to develop our church growth project and increase confidence for mission by participating in a ‘Leading your church into growth’ course.
Burnham and Slough Deanery – to increase skill and confidence in mission and outreach, both locally and more widely, by running a CCX Grow Course for five parishes and training two lay pioneers to run the course elsewhere.
St Peter and St Paul, Steeple Aston – to produce architect’s drawings for a WC and servery in order to develop our project to enable wider use of the church.
Walton Holy Trinity, Aylesbury – to build discipleship among the 18-30 age group and help us become a younger, more mission-focused intergenerational church by employing a Young Adult Lead.
Farnham Royal – to reach out into the community and build relationships with the local schools by running an iSingPoP workshop and holding a concert in the church.
St Matthew’s, Southcote – to improve health outcomes and spiritual wellbeing amongst local disadvantaged populations by employing a parish nurse.
St Michael’s, Stanton Harcourt – to become more inclusive by installing an internet connection and enhancing our worship and mission creatively and in response to our community.