Impact Updates
Latest Updates: Progress on Impact
It’s been an exciting few months on site at St Michael le Belfrey!
Excavation and Archaeology - Digging the Floor
The last few months have finally revealed the floor! Or rather, what will be the floor…
Impact: This Year's Progress and What's Coming Up
Impact has been progressing in leaps and bounds in the last 12 months! Catch up with what’s been happening here…
Scaffolding removed to reveal freshly restored ceiling
In a major mark of significant progress on the Impact project, the first section of internal scaffolding has been removed from St Michael le Belfrey.
Nave roof nears completion
View the meticulous repairs to the roof, nave ceiling and stonework.
Happenings Lately - Impact Updates So Far
Last Sunday we shared these highs, lows, prayer points and ways to get involved with our church family:
Anonymous Donor offers to cover The Belfrey’s funding shortfall
An anonymous Donor has approached St Michael le Belfrey (The Belfrey) and offered to cover, if needed, the full £1.2m shortfall of its £8.5m Impact building project; caused by the new VAT cap on the Listed Places of Worship scheme.
St Michael le Belfrey church in York faced with additional £1.4m tax bill
On 22 January 2025 the Department for Culture, Media and & Sport (“DCMS”) announced it will impose a cap of £25k for the maximum amount of VAT a church can reclaim on its building project in a year as part of its Listed Places of Worship VAT refund scheme.
Roofs, Walls and Grants - February 2025 Update
There has been lots happening recently in the Impact project! Here are some of the latest updates, including a prayer point…
Raising the roof! Removal begins in January 2025
The next major development in the construction phase begins in mid-January, when the roof of St Michael le Belfrey starts to be removed for replacement.
Intricate Scaffold design for St Michael le Belfrey
Interior Scaffolding carefully designed to protect floor and underground vaults
Belfrey awards Building Contract to Simpson
“We look forward to working with Simpson to beautifully transform our medieval church building into a more welcoming, accessible and flexible space,” says Rev Andy Baker, Interim Priest in Charge, The Belfrey.
Giving to Impact as we near Construction
We are now so close to Construction. Please pray and consider if you can now give to Impact or perhaps you can give again?
Wood Reclaim Project complete
“Since the start of Impact, sustainability has been a key priority for The Belfrey so it was important that we could repurpose the wood well.”
One Step Closer to our Fundraising Goal!
£24k worth of grants moves Impact closer to its target.
Huge Congratulations to Finn on his Marathon Success!
One of our students, Finn Sheard, ran his first ever marathon and raised £800 for IMPACT.
Just 10% left to reach Impact Fundraising Target
The Belfrey is delighted to reach 90% of its funding target to deliver its Impact building project
Chancellor approves The Belfrey's building project
“This is the most exciting news. Impact will create a freer, lighter and more accessible space that nurtures our Belfrey congregation and allows us to share our building and facilities with others,” explains Andy, Associate Vicar and Chair of Impact.
The Belfrey awarded £130k grant from Benefact Trust
“It’s another important step in our Fundraising campaign as we seek to raise around £1.5m,” comments Andy Baker, Chair of Impact