CORNWALL Historic Churches Trust (CHCT) marks its 70th anniversary with a choral evensong service at Truro Cathedral on Tuesday, November 25, and all are welcome to the attend.

Led by the Bishop of Truro, the Revd David Williams, the service will take place in the cathedral quire from 5.30pm, with a procession to St Mary’s Aisle - the remains of the original parish church that was replaced by Truro Cathedral, which underwent a major weather-proofing project with funding contributed by CHCT. The retiring collection will be split 50/50 between the cathedral and the charity.

Eighty per cent of Cornish churches were built before 1550. CHCT (honorary life president: Lord Falmouth) offers funding to active churches, chapels and meeting houses of any denomination to help care for historic buildings and churchyards.

Supported projects include roof improvements at Probus church, which boasts the highest tower in Cornwall but suffers from serious water ingress during heavy storms; the rethatching of the historic Quaker meeting house at Come-to-Good; essential glazing and stonemasonry work at St Petroc’s Church in Bodmin; and the overhaul and replacement of rainwater goods at St Sampson’s in South Hill, near Launceston.

CHCT member churches can claim up to £10,000 to cover major repairs, with lower grants available for small structural or emergency schemes. A CHCT grant can also enhance applications for grant funding from the National Churches Trust, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other sources.

“Applications have risen exponentially in 2025,” said CHCT chair Cecilia Bisson. “We have granted around £158,000 over 30 applications - that’s a phenomenal amount. To keep that up, we need more people to join us.

“Churches are the lifeblood of our communities. Even those who don’t worship attend events or simply appreciate the beauty of these historic buildings. Please help us support them.” For more information, visit www.chct.info.