Ambridge St. Stephen’s Fund

Ambridge St. Stephen’s Fund is a charitable trust established to support the ongoing restoration, maintenance, and community outreach work associated with the historic St. Stephen’s Church in Ambridge. The Fund operates under the auspices of the parish but maintains an independent governance structure, with a trustee board drawn from local community figures, clergy, and civic representatives.

The Fund’s primary mandate encompasses the preservation of the Grade-listed fabric of St. Stephen’s Church and its associated grounds, which represent a significant piece of the village’s architectural and cultural heritage. Beyond conservation, the Fund actively supports the church’s role as a community hub — funding outreach programmes for the elderly, youth engagement initiatives, and community events that utilise the church’s facilities.

Ambridge District Council maintains an observer representation on the Fund’s quarterly meetings, recognising the church’s importance as a social infrastructure asset and the Fund’s role in delivering community benefit that complements the authority’s own social care and community cohesion objectives. The observer role ensures transparency and facilitates coordination between the Fund’s activities and council-supported initiatives in health, wellbeing, and heritage.

The Fund raises income through donations, legacies, grant applications to national heritage bodies, and fundraising events throughout the year. It operates on a not-for-profit basis and all proceeds are directed to its stated charitable purposes.