Freddie van Mierlo MP visits St Mary’s Church, Whitchurch-on-Thames, to discuss urgent repair funding

Freddie van Mierlo MP visited St Mary’s Church in Whitchurch-on-Thames earlier this month to meet with members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) and Vicar James Leach to discuss the urgent repair needs of the historic building.

During the visit, Freddie met with PCC members Graeme Pearce, Susan Cockeram and Kenneth Baker to talk about the condition of the church’s shingle-clad spire and tiled roof, both of which require significant repairs.

Discussions focused on the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which currently allows historic places of worship to reclaim VAT on essential repairs and refurbishment. The scheme is due to end on 31 March 2026, or earlier if funding is exhausted, creating uncertainty for churches planning vital works.

St Mary’s PCC is currently raising funds locally to help cover the cost of repairs and to mitigate the risk of a shortfall should grant funding not be extended or replaced in time.

Freddie van Mierlo has committed to pressing the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to provide long-term support for historic places of worship, including clarity on replacement funding and protection against a funding gap during the transition to the Government’s proposed Places of Worship Renewal Fund.

Speaking after the visit, Freddie van Mierlo MP said:
“Historic churches like St Mary’s are at the heart of their communities. Supporting practical repair work is essential if we want to preserve these buildings for future generations, and I will continue to press the Government to ensure churches are not left in limbo.”

Mr van Mierlo is also submitting Written Parliamentary Questions to seek further detail on how the new funding arrangements will operate and how churches can be supported during the transition period.