The Diocese of Coventry covers Warwickshire and the city of Coventry, with around 210 parishes. Coventry Cathedral (1962, designed by Sir Basil Spence beside the ruined medieval cathedral destroyed in 1940) is one of the most architecturally significant 20th-century buildings in England.
The Diocese of Coventry at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Saju Muthalaly
- Coverage
- Warwickshire and parts of Solihull, Coventry city
- Parishes
- ~210 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Glyn Samuel
- Capital programme
- Coventry Diocese Environment Fund
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £20,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Coventry Cathedral (the modern St Michael's, beside the ruined medieval cathedral)
- Holy Trinity Coventry
- St Mary's Warwick (Grade I, burial place of the Earls of Warwick)
- Stratford-upon-Avon Holy Trinity (Shakespeare's burial place)
- Rugby St Andrew's
Funding stack for Coventry parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Coventry combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Coventry Diocese Environment Fund | Up to £20,000 | 35-55% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| WMCA business decarbonisation grants | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Coventry
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Coventry, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Glyn Samuel, on the advice of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). For a well-prepared solar application, the typical timescale from PCC resolution to faculty grant is 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings, extending to 18-26 weeks for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.
We have prepared faculty applications across the Diocese of Coventry and know the DAC office, diocesan architect, and Net Zero Officer personally. See our 2026 PCC guide to faculty jurisdiction for the full process, or our faculty application service page for our delivery approach.
Cities and towns covered in the Diocese of Coventry
We deliver across the Warwickshire and parts of Solihull, Coventry city footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Coventry parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Coventry, PCC-ready report inside 7 working days
- On-site survey — structural and electrical engineers; engagement with diocesan architect
- Faculty application — Statement of Significance, Statement of Needs, DAC consultation, representation at chancery
- Grant applications — Coventry Diocese Environment Fund, Buildings for Mission, Listed Places of Worship VAT scheme
- Install and commission — typically 1-3 weeks on site, with full PCC training and monitoring active
- Post-commissioning — Eco Church credit logged, parish magazine feature, annual carbon report
Common questions — Diocese of Coventry parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Coventry have?
Approximately 210 parishes across Warwickshire and parts of Solihull, Coventry city.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Coventry?
Glyn Samuel grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Coventry has committed to net zero by 2030, in line with (or ahead of) the Church of England's national 2030 General Synod commitment.
What grant funding is available for Coventry parish solar?
The principal route is the Coventry Diocese Environment Fund, with awards up to £20,000. This combines with national Buildings for Mission grants, the Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme, and charitable trust funding to typically cover 50-100% of capex.
How long does a faculty application take in the Diocese of Coventry?
For a well-prepared solar faculty application, 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings; longer for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.