The Trust was originally started in 1982 by members of the Order of The Grand Priory of Knights Templar in the United Kingdom, which is part of the wider organisation OSMTH
OSMTH is accredited by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Special Consultative Status and maintains Delegations at the United Nations’ Offices in New York City, Geneva, and Vienna.
Founded in 1119, the Knights Templar protected pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land and other places of pilgrimage.
Our founders want to continue helping modern pilgrims by providing practical Christian care in the form of modest financial support.
We recognise that each pilgrim has a unique story of an individual search for greater understanding: of God, of our world and of personal spirituality.
Each pilgrim seeks to make a unique journey and we work to help it happen.
A pilgrimage is a journey with religious or spiritual significance. There is a strong tradition of Christian pilgrimage, originally to sites important in the life of Jesus Christ and in the Gospel narratives, later including other sites associated with events, saints or miracles.
We have eight Trustees: George MacLean (Chair of Trustees), Cicelyn Hinds (Honorary Secretary), Jeremy Lee (Honorary Treasurer), Anthony Cuthbert, Mavis Jacobs, The Revd. Canon Philip Norwood, Dr Sorin-Ionut Balaban and The Revd. Tracy Williams.
The Trustees come from a variety of Christian backgrounds, including The Church of England, The Romanian Orthodox Church and The Roman Catholic Church. Between them, they have a wide range of experience from organising and leading pilgrimages, making pilgrimages, working in church ministry, pastoral work and teaching.
The Trustees are collectively responsible for running the Trust. Their main aim is to make modest grants to as broad a range of pilgrims as possible. Trustees are not paid and do not claim expenses and give their time and expertise on a voluntary basis.
Registered with and Regulated by the Charity Commission for England & Wales
Charity No: 1191505
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