The Diocese of Worcester covers Worcestershire and parts of Dudley with around 220 parishes. Worcester Cathedral contains the tomb of King John (signed Magna Carta) and is one of the largest Norman cathedrals in England. The diocese mixes rural Worcestershire heritage parishes with industrial Black Country fringe parishes.
The Diocese of Worcester at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Martin Gorick
- Coverage
- Worcestershire and parts of Dudley
- Parishes
- ~220 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- Charles Mynors
- Capital programme
- Worcester Diocese Net Zero Programme
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £18,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- Worcester Cathedral (contains tomb of King John, signer of Magna Carta)
- Pershore Abbey
- Evesham All Saints
- St Helens Worcester
- Great Malvern Priory
Funding stack for Worcester parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of Worcester combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester Diocese Net Zero Programme | Up to £18,000 | 30-50% |
| Buildings for Mission (CofE national) | £10,000-£50,000 | 40-60% |
| 0% VAT on the installation (energy-saving materials relief) | Zero-rated to 31 Mar 2027 | 0% VAT |
| WMCA business decarbonisation grants | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of Worcester
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of Worcester, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, Charles Mynors, 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 Worcester 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 Worcester
We deliver across the Worcestershire and parts of Dudley footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of Worcester parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to Worcester, 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 — Worcester 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 Worcester parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of Worcester have?
Approximately 220 parishes across Worcestershire and parts of Dudley.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Worcester?
Charles Mynors grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of Worcester 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 Worcester parish solar?
The principal route is the Worcester 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 Worcester?
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