James Ravenscroft Charity

The James Ravenscroft Charity, founded in 1679 by benefactor James Ravenscroft in Barnet, Hertfordshire, is a historic endowment dedicated exclusively to preserving the physical heritage of religious buildings. Operating under a 1934 Charity Commission scheme (later amended), its mission centers on maintaining the fabric, furniture, and architectural features of Ravenscroft Chapel within the Church of St John the Baptist, Chipping Barnet, prioritizing an Extraordinary Repair Fund after administrative costs. Surplus funds may support four named neighboring churches in the ancient parish. Governed by trustees with ecclesiastical ties, including local church council representatives, it embodies a conservative, stewardship-focused ethos rooted in commemorating the Ravenscroft legacy through perpetual asset preservation rather than programmatic innovation.

It funds only capital works for church conservation, repairs, furnishings renewal, and upkeep—no revenue, core, outreach, welfare, or community projects. Grants target essential physical maintenance, as evidenced by all awards going to building fabric in eligible sites.

Eligibility is hyper-local and restrictive: solely Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) or churchwardens of the primary church in Chipping Barnet and, if funds allow, the four specified neighbors; UK-registered charities outside this scope need not apply, as unsolicited applications are not accepted. Typical grants range from £1,000 to £15,000, with annual disbursements under £30,000, decided at quarterly trustee meetings (March, June, September, December). Applicants submit documentation directly to trustees pre-meeting, with decisions in 4-8 weeks.

Distinctively narrow, it excludes all non-maintenance purposes, broader heritage education, social action, or non-Christian entities, differentiating it as a centuries-old sentinel for a single parish's ecclesiastical infrastructure in Barnet.