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METHODIST CHURCH IN TOWER HAMLETS

Registered charity 1134888 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as TOWER HAMLETS METHODIST CIRCUIT

The provision of sacred space (buildings) for prayer and contemplation. Supporting other charities in the UK and overseas financially and with prayer.

Causes: Religious Activities · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£781k
Latest spending
£873k
Registered
2010
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £6,282,035, which is below the stated policy target of six months' ordinary expenditure plus £100,000 for underwriting the Whitechapel Mission and accrued redundancy costs. The Trustees acknowledge that the Circuit is drawing heavily on its reserves and have established a Sustainable Future Group to review options for the future.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves position: below the charity's own stated reserves policy (held: £6.3m; policy: 6 months ordinary expenditure plus the underwriting of the Whitechapel mission to the tune of £100,000 and accrued redundancy costs for Circuit staff)
“The unrestricted funds of £6,282,035 include properties in use for the purpose of the Circuit and other investments that generate income upon which the Circuit is reliant upon to sustain its core activities. Recognising the significance of the mission of the churches and projects of the Methodist Church in Tower Hamlets and the care that would be needed in ensuring alternative provision if they needed to be wound down, the reserves policy of the Methodist Church in Tower Hamlets is to maintain a reserve of 6 months ordinary expenditure plus the underwriting of the Whitechapel mission to the tune of £100,000 and accrued redundancy costs for Circuit staff.” — page 10
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Grants received from London District of the Methodist Church (TLDMC)
“During the year, the Circuit received grants of £337,770 (2024: 200,365) from TLDMC. The Circuit also paid assessment of £28,644 to TLDMC.” — page 31
“As at 31 August 2025, NMC owed an amount of £90,773 (2024: £105,657) to the Circuit. This amount includes invoices MCTH paid on behalf of NMC, services provided by a Circuit member of staff and interest on the balance of £61,856.” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Debt owed by Newham Circuit (NMC)
“During the year, the Circuit received grants of £337,770 (2024: 200,365) from TLDMC. The Circuit also paid assessment of £28,644 to TLDMC.” — page 31
“As at 31 August 2025, NMC owed an amount of £90,773 (2024: £105,657) to the Circuit. This amount includes invoices MCTH paid on behalf of NMC, services provided by a Circuit member of staff and interest on the balance of £61,856.” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Payments to Hackney and Stoke Newington Methodist Church (HSNMC) for manse
“During the year, the Circuit received grants of £337,770 (2024: 200,365) from TLDMC. The Circuit also paid assessment of £28,644 to TLDMC.” — page 31
“As at 31 August 2025, NMC owed an amount of £90,773 (2024: £105,657) to the Circuit. This amount includes invoices MCTH paid on behalf of NMC, services provided by a Circuit member of staff and interest on the balance of £61,856.” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Assessment received from Poplar Methodist Church (PMC)
“During the year, the Circuit received grants of £337,770 (2024: 200,365) from TLDMC. The Circuit also paid assessment of £28,644 to TLDMC.” — page 31
“As at 31 August 2025, NMC owed an amount of £90,773 (2024: £105,657) to the Circuit. This amount includes invoices MCTH paid on behalf of NMC, services provided by a Circuit member of staff and interest on the balance of £61,856.” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts audited by Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills. Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)

Total income
£781k
Total spending
£873k
Cost of raising funds
£43k
Reserves (reported)
£6.3m
Employees
9

Reported reserves equal ~86.4 months of spending — in the top quarter for charities its size (median 5.2 months; benchmarks).

Per its annual return, largest income source: Donations and legacies (58% of income) — components as reported reconcile to the return’s total income; not from the accounts narrative.

Per its annual return, cost of raising funds: 5.5% of total income — above the median for charities its size (4.9%) (benchmarks).

Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Tower Hamlets

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/08/2025£781k£873k
31/08/2024£606k£732k
31/08/2023£435k£575k
31/08/2022£375k£698k
31/08/2021£281k£931k

Common questions

Is METHODIST CHURCH IN TOWER HAMLETS financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £6,282,035, which is below the stated policy target of six months' ordinary expenditure plus £100,000 for underwriting the Whitechapel Mission and accrued redundancy costs. The Trustees acknowledge that the Circuit is drawing heavily on its reserves and have established a Sustainable Future Group to review options for the future. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills.

Government & lottery funding

Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).

FunderDateAmountPurpose
The National Lottery Community Fund30/05/2019£129kZacchaeus project - advice and guidance
The National Lottery Community Fund10/08/2011£268kZacchaeus Project
The National Lottery Community Fund10/07/2006£5kThe Exchange Project
The National Lottery Community Fund09/11/2004£193kWork to enable Isle of Dogs residents to develop services & resources