The Pilgrim Trust
The reference to the Pilgrim Trust in relation to the funding for the recovery and restoration of the medieval
wall paintings in St. Mary's Belchamp Walter begs the question: "Who are they? and can they be approached for future
fund-raising?"
The Pilgrim Trust is still in existance.
The Pilgrim Trust was set up in 1930 by Edward Harkness an American philanthropist, whose family traced its roots to
Dumfriesshire. He retained a lifelong love of Great Britain and after the UK’s contribution to the First World War,
Harkness donated £2 million to create the Pilgrim Trust.
Harkness wanted his donation to support the urgent and future needs of the UK. This wide brief has led us to contribute
to the first open-air nurseries, the first preservation trust for historic churches and many other pioneering projects.
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