THE PRAYER BOOK SOCIETY
Promotes use and understanding of the Book of Common Prayer centrally to worship and doctrine of the Church of England (and other Anglican tradition Churches) and its use for regular worship including main Sunday services and occasional services e.g. Baptism, Confirmation, weddings, funerals. Works to ensure that all ordinands are familiar with it and to introduce it to children and young people.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net incoming resource of £281,433 for the year, driven by a significant increase in donations and legacies alongside investment gains. Unrestricted reserves stood at £1,876,975 at year-end, providing a substantial buffer against unpredictable income sources as outlined in the reserves policy. The auditor confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting was appropriate with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“it is the policy of the Society that, generally and in most years, fixed overheads are intended to be met out of ordinary income. Extraordinary income is to be used to accumulate reserves” — page 7
“Payments of £15,547 (2024 - £21,677) were made to St Olav Christian Bookshop for trading purchases. St Olav's employs as a manager Bradley Smith, the Chairman and a Trustee of The Prayer Book Society.” — page 26
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 04786973
Company officers (Companies House)
- KERSHAW, Johanna, The Rev'D Dr on trustee list
- SWYER, Rebecca Jane, The Reverend Canon on trustee list
- GAUNT, Adam, The Reverend on trustee list
- HANCOCK, Christopher Michael Jefferies on trustee list
- SMITH, Bradley Francis on trustee list
- RIDING, Jonathan David on trustee list
- MILNE, Iain Richard Johnson on trustee list
- NEWMAN, Daniel Robert, The Revd Dr on trustee list
- EDMONDS, Stephen, The Revd Dr on trustee list
- MEITNER, Paul Jonathan on trustee list
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Trustees
- BRADLEY FRANCIS SMITHchair
- Christopher Hancock
- Iain Richard Johnson Milne
- Johanna Kershaw
- Jonathan David Riding
- PAUL MEITNER
- Rev Adam Gaunt
- Rev Rebecca Jane Swyer
- Rev Stephen Edmonds
- The Revd Dr Daniel Robert Newman
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £835k | £554k |
| 31/12/2024 | £394k | £408k |
| 31/12/2023 | £332k | £408k |
| 31/12/2022 | £235k | £363k |
| 31/12/2021 | £1.0m | £268k |
Common questions
Is THE PRAYER BOOK SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net incoming resource of £281,433 for the year, driven by a significant increase in donations and legacies alongside investment gains. Unrestricted reserves stood at £1,876,975 at year-end, providing a substantial buffer against unpredictable income sources as outlined in the reserves policy. The auditor confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting was appropriate with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Richardsons.
Who funds THE PRAYER BOOK SOCIETY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE PRAYER BOOK SOCIETY as a grant recipient include THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PETER AND ST LEONARD, HORBURY WITH ST JOHN, HORBURY BRIDGE, THE DYERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE TRUST, THE SAMUEL STOREY FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PETER AND ST LEONARD, HORBURY WITH ST JOHN, HORBURY BRIDGE | FY2023 | £1k | Choral Development Programme |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PETER AND ST LEONARD, HORBURY WITH ST JOHN, HORBURY BRIDGE | FY2024 | £1k | Children and Families Project / Choral Development Programme |
| THE DYERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £1k | The Church |
| THE DYERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £1k | The Church |
| THE DYERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £1k | The Church |
| THE SAMUEL STOREY FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £1k | |
| THE SAMUEL STOREY FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £130 |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE EARL OF NORTHAMPTON'S CHARITY | 1 | £100k |
Charities like this
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF RUSCOMBE AND TWYFORD
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF PORTISHEAD
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREEN STREET GREEN AND PRATTS BOTTOM (ST. MARY'S WITH ALL SOULS)
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF OADBY
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S ELY
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EDENBRIDGE
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE PRAYER BOOK SOCIETY | £835k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF RUSCOMBE AND TWYFORD | £188k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF PORTISHEAD | £314k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREEN STREET GREEN AND PRATTS BOTTOM (ST. MARY'S WITH ALL SOULS) | £207k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF OADBY | £190k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S ELY | £462k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |