Friends of Essex Churches Trust

Welcome to the website of the Friends of Essex Churches Trust

The Friends of Essex Churches Trust is a registered charity set up in 1951. It raises money for grants to repair and restore Christian churches and chapels in Essex and the five London boroughs formerly part of the county: Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. We are non-denominational.

Money for grants is raised by donations, legacies and fund-raising events such as parties, visits, lectures and the annual Ride & Stride, which takes place on the second Saturday every September. All our staff are volunteers, so that every penny raised is handed on to places of worship which need our help.

We have three main objectives:

• to appeal to all members of the county and the five East London boroughs
• to assist in the maintenance of the fabric of our Christian churches and chapels
• to stimulate interest in the history of our religious buildings

FRIENDS OF ESSEX CHURCHES TRUST 2012-13
Patrons: The Bishop of Brentwood, the Bishop of Chelmsford, H.M. Lord Lieutenant for Essex
President: George Courtauld

Executive Council and Trustees: James Bettley (Chairman), Christopher Starr (Vice-Chairman), Philip Smith (Hon. Treasurer), Keith Gardner (Hon. Secretary & Hon. Membership Secretary), Jill Cole, Catharine Hutley, David Lodge, Ralph Meloy, Fiona Nelmes

Advisory Council: John Bloomfield, Ray Clements, Ann Hilder, David Hoppit, Simon Mynott, Neil Stedman, Sir Alastair Stewart, Sarah White

Stained glass depicting the arms of
William Swaine Chisenhale-Marsh,
Theydon Garnon, All Saints.
He was High Sheriff of Essex in 1892.