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Sheffield Church Burgesses

For just over 450 years, the Sheffield Church Burgesses Trust has served Sheffield Cathedral. Granted its charter by Mary Tudor, it has adapted to social changes down the centuries and is now a multi-purpose charity with a substantial income which it allocates to ecclesiastical purposes in support of the Church of England; to education; to the needy and deprived; and for the benefit of the community.

It has made and continues to make a significant impact on the life of the City. In particular, it is a major source of income for Sheffield Cathedral, for the building of churches and for payments towards Anglican clergy stipends in Sheffield. The Trust has recently made major grants to the Cathedral to enable the carrying out of the restoration and refurbishment of the lantern above the west end, and to share in the funding of the cost of the construction of the Community Resource Centre.

Under its Charity Commission Scheme, about 71% of the net income of the Trust is allocated to ecclesiastical purposes. Of the remaining income each year, about 18% is allocated to educational purposes and about 11% to general charitable purposes within the City of Sheffield.

The income devoted to educational purposes is now administered by the Church Burgesses Educational Foundation, constituted as a separate, independent Trust. Under these broad headings, the Trust today provides significant financial support for a wide range of activities.

The income of the Trust is still derived to a considerable extent, from land and property. Urban development in the nineteenth century was the key to the growth of the Burgesses’ assets, and they were influential in the growth of the City. They were pioneers in imposing good order and high standards in the town’s development; they were forerunners of sensible, regulated town planning.

The story of the Church Burgesses Trust down the centuries is one of active involvement in the affairs of Sheffield. They had their origin in meeting the social and spiritual needs of the whole town. Four hundred and fifty years ago their resources could hardly be said to match the task; today, whatever the resources, the task would be impossible.

Yet the Church Burgesses continue to have an impact that is significant and lasting. Their contribution to the Church is a major resource for the development of the Church’s ministry; their charitable and educational work encourages new developments and initiatives which enrich and bring hope to individuals and communities.

You can contact the Trust by writing to:

The Law Clerk
Sheffield Church Burgesses Trust
c/o Wrigleys Solicitors LLP
3rd Floor Fountain Precinct
Balm Green
Sheffield
S1 2JA

email: godfrey.smallman@wrigleys.co.uk

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Learning at the School of Ministry

Sheffield Church Burgesses