Our history

The Friends of Shakespeare's Church was launched in 2003 with an initial donation of just £5.00, since then over £1,000,000 has been raised to help maintain the beauty of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Upon Avon.

The early years of fundraising were largely focussed on necessary repairs to the Church tower and spire, and later to the Clerestory Windows, but in 2009 it was discovered that the very roof over Shakespeare's head - the Chancel - was in a serious state of disrepair and was in danger of collapse. What then started as a small local story was soon picked up by the BBC and the Vicar and Clerk were both interviewed for a television report. Amazingly such was the interest in Shakespeare's grave predicament that the report was syndicated to the USA and we soon had many donations from concerned Shakespeare fans across America - many of whom have remained as members of the Friends.

With the Church 800th celebrations taking priority in 2010 the Friends turned their thoughts to their next stage of fundraising and in late 2010 commissioned reports on the condiition and potential work needed on the stained glass windows and funerary memorials which provide such a special atmosphere to the building. Of course these are not only of historical and cultural interest but also play a vital role on the sprirtual life of the Church providing a lasting link to congregations of the past. 

Detail of damage to Balsall tomb.

It is planned that 2012 will see the Friends raising money to deal with the results of these reports and launch their new campaign to Restore the Beauty of Shakespeare's Church.