The Diocese of Lincoln covers Lincolnshire with around 560 parishes — one of the largest CofE dioceses by parish count, reflecting the agricultural-rural pattern of Lincolnshire. Lincoln Cathedral was for several centuries the tallest building in the world (1311-1549). Many medieval Lincolnshire churches survive in deeply rural settings.
The Diocese of Lincoln at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Stephen Conway
- Coverage
- Lincolnshire and parts of North and North East Lincolnshire
- Parishes
- ~560 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Mark Bishop
- Capital programme
- Lincoln Diocese Net Zero Programme
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £18,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Lincoln Cathedral (briefly the tallest building in the world)
- St Botolph's Boston (the 'Boston Stump', tallest medieval parish church tower in England)
- Stamford All Saints
- Louth St James'
- Grantham St Wulfram's
Funding stack for Lincoln parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Lincoln combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Diocese Net Zero Programme | Up to £18,000 | 30-50% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| Lincolnshire County Council rural community grants | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Lincoln
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Lincoln, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Mark Bishop, 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
We deliver across the Lincolnshire and parts of North and North East Lincolnshire footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Lincoln parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Lincoln, 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 — Lincoln Diocese Net Zero Programme, 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 Lincoln parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Lincoln have?
Approximately 560 parishes across Lincolnshire and parts of North and North East Lincolnshire.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Lincoln?
Mark Bishop grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Lincoln 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 Lincoln parish solar?
The principal route is the Lincoln Diocese Net Zero Programme, with awards up to £18,000. 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 Lincoln?
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.
Related dioceses and resources
RELATED DIOCESES