A York Church Charity Cannot Explain Where the Money Went: Now the Government Is Investigating

Charity Commission Investigates York Micklegate Ecclesiastical Trust Over Financial Controls and Missing Accounts

The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into the Micklegate Ecclesiastical Trust, a York based charity connected to the Church of England, over serious concerns about financial controls, missing accounts, and potential conflicts of interest.

The investigation, which opened on January 7, 2026, was triggered after an earlier inquiry into The Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity With St. John, Micklegate and St. Martin Cum Gregory, York, revealed the two charities shared a number of trustees.

The Micklegate Ecclesiastical Trust has failed to submit accounts for the financial years ending December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024. Financial information submitted for 2022 raised concerns about related party transactions.

Church of England Charity Faces Scrutiny Over Missing Financial Records and Governance Failures

The Commission's investigation will examine the trust's compliance with legal obligations, its financial management, potential conflicts of interest, and whether there has been any "unauthorised personal benefit." The trust, which states it was "set up to further the religious and charitable work of the Church of England," says it is "fully co operating" with the inquiry.

Take Action

• Learn: Read the Charity Commission's full statement on the Micklegate Ecclesiastical Trust investigation.
• Act: Ask your church leadership about financial transparency, annual accounts, and independent audits.
• Pray: Pray for integrity in church financial management and for the truth to be revealed in this investigation.
• Share: Share this story to promote accountability in Christian organizations handling donated funds.