CHESTER-LE-STREET METHODIST CHURCH
General Church work led by ministerial team. Lay members involved in running various groups. In 2010 a new structure covering 10 areas of church life were identified. Members encouraged to be involved to enable further development.Cornerstones has been open for eight years and many new activities and links with outside organisations made benefiting all ages in our community.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted funds stood at £162,176 against a reserves policy target of £72,097, indicating the charity holds reserves above its stated minimum requirement. However, the charity reported a net expenditure of £17,080 for the year, resulting in a decrease in total fund balances from £236,664 to £219,584.
What the accounts disclose
“The Reserves Policy for the Church is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to 6 months' average expenditure. This equates to £72,097.” — page 7
Trustees
- Audrey Porter
- BRENDA WOOD B.ED HONS
- BRIAN JONATHAN STRAUGHAN
- DENISE HOLMES
- DOROTHY MARY CARR
- Derick Joseph Lawson
- Dorothy Jean Hedley
- Elizabeth Oswald
- FREDERICK HERBERT LOUIS JOHNSON
- Freda Raine
- Joan Moore
- Karen Angela Heptinstalll
- Kathryn Margaret Johnson
- MARGARET LESLEY WALTON
- MARION SMITH
- ROBERT GARDINER DOBSON
- Rev Jennifer Margaret Pryde
- Robert Berry
- STEPHEN WROE
- THOMAS ALAN SMITH B.ED
- THOMAS WILLIAM INDIAN
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £219k | £236k |
| 31/08/2024 | £213k | £223k |
| 31/08/2023 | £195k | £238k |
| 31/08/2022 | £236k | £240k |
| 31/08/2021 | £322k | £233k |
Common questions
Is CHESTER-LE-STREET METHODIST CHURCH financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted funds stood at £162,176 against a reserves policy target of £72,097, indicating the charity holds reserves above its stated minimum requirement. However, the charity reported a net expenditure of £17,080 for the year, resulting in a decrease in total fund balances from £236,664 to £219,584. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 14/05/2026 | £18k | Film Making |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 05/09/2024 | £3k | Memory Lane Craft Group |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 21/01/2022 | £10k | Mental Health and Wellbeing Sessions |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 18/07/2019 | £120k | Cornerstones Centre For The Community |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 20/09/2018 | £6k | Reach for the Stars' Film Making Project |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 14/12/2016 | £5k | RE-Generation |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 10/09/2014 | £4k | I.T. for everyone |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 14/04/2014 | £90k | Cornerstones Centre for the Community |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 21/03/2013 | £10k | Cornerstones central heating boiler |
| Northern Rock Foundation | 21/10/2011 | £15k | Grant awarded to Chester-le-Street Methodist Church (Durham) |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 23/06/2011 | £5k | Cornerstones - 'Timeout' |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 14/05/2008 | £130k | Cornerstones |