THE National Churches Trust has launched a national debate to help safeguard the future of the UK’s local churches – and it would like ACAT’s members to take part.
With an increasing number of churches and chapels facing closure, ‘The Future of the UK’s Churches’ debate highlights the community, economic, heritage and spiritual benefits of churches.
It also gives you a chance to have your say on how some of the UK’s most important local buildings can be saved for future generations.
‘The Future of the UK’s Churches’ debate is being backed by Michael Palin, Vice President of the National Churches Trust.
He said: “The UK has over 39,000 church buildings. The restrictions of COVID-19, resulting in reduced funding and fewer worshippers, has clouded the future for many of them.
“Yet churches remain a vital and much-loved part of the UK’s history and heritage and we can’t let them fall into neglect and disuse.
“There is hope. More and more churches are adapting to the modern world and the needs of their communities, providing not just spiritual comforts but a range of valuable services to local people such as foodbanks and youth clubs.
“We must build on this, and encourage people of all sorts and from all backgrounds to find hope and relevance in their local churches.
“If you care as much as I do about the future of these much loved buildings, do get involved with the National Churches Trust debate about ‘The Future of Churches’ and help shape their future.”
New figures released by the National Churches Trust have also shown that repair bills are vastly outweighed by the economic and social benefits of church buildings.
The annual social and economic value of church buildings to the UK is worth around £55 billion. This sum, calculated using the latest HM Treasury Green Book guidance, includes the contribution churches make to wellbeing and to local economies.
Claire Walker, CEO of the National Churches Trust said: “Church buildings belong to all of us and that’s why we are starting a national debate about their future.
“Whether you are a regular churchgoer, a heritage lover or have been in a church recently to have your COVID vaccination, please do take part and tell us what you think.
“Right now, many church buildings are in danger.
“That’s because there isn’t enough money available to fund urgent repairs and maintenance or to instal essential facilities such as toilets and kitchens.
“Over 900 churches are on the Historic England ‘Heritage at Risk Register’, with many more in a dire state in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“Church buildings are a unique national asset.
“It would be a huge mistake to let them decay when they provide around £55 billion of economic and social value to the UK each year.”
To take part in the National Churches Trust’s ‘Future of Churches’ survey click HERE.
