The Archdiocese of Westminster is one of the most prominent UK Catholic dioceses — covering London north of the Thames and parts of Hertfordshire with around 210 parishes. Westminster Cathedral (J.F. Bentley, 1903) is the mother church of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
The Diocese of Westminster (RC) at a glance
- Bishop
- Cardinal Vincent Nichols (Archbishop of Westminster)
- Coverage
- London north of the Thames, Hertfordshire (part)
- Parishes
- ~210 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Diocesan finance committee (no faculty system)
- Capital programme
- Westminster Diocese Laudato Si' Action Plan grants
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £25,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Westminster Cathedral (J.F. Bentley, 1903)
- Brompton Oratory (Italian baroque, 1884)
- Farm Street Jesuit Church
- Our Lady of Victories Kensington
- St Patrick's Soho Square
Funding stack for Westminster (RC) parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Westminster (RC) combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster Diocese Laudato Si' Capital | Up to £25,000 | 40-60% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| GLA London Environment Strategy support | Variable | 5-15% |
| Allchurches Trust + Catholic foundation grants | £1,000-£15,000 | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Westminster (RC)
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Westminster (RC), any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Diocesan finance committee (no faculty system), 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 Westminster (RC) 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 Westminster (RC)
We deliver across the London north of the Thames, Hertfordshire (part) footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Westminster (RC) parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Westminster (RC), 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 — Westminster Diocese Laudato Si' Action Plan grants, 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 Westminster (RC) parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Westminster (RC) have?
Approximately 210 parishes across London north of the Thames, Hertfordshire (part).
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Westminster (RC)?
Diocesan finance committee (no faculty system) grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Westminster (RC) 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 Westminster (RC) parish solar?
The principal route is the Westminster Diocese Laudato Si' Action Plan grants, with awards up to £25,000. 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 Westminster (RC)?
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