English heritage reveals condition of nation's places of worship
- How congregations are coping
- Calls on government to continue vital grants
- New free practical guide
First ever sample survey
England's churches, chapels and other places of worship are our great architectural inheritance, of immeasurable cultural and community value. But what is their current state of repair? How are congregations coping in today's difficult economic climate and how important are the two major grant schemes for places of worship, one of which is due to finish in March 2011?
The first ever sample survey of England's 14,500 listed places of worship published today (Wednesday 30 June) by English Heritage suggests that approximately 90% are in good or fair condition but 10% are potentially in need of urgent major repairs.
What congregations say
Research among congregations reveals that for two-thirds funding major repairs is a constant worry. Other top concerns are:
- finding out what being listed means
- getting permission to make changes
- getting funding to keep the building wind and watertight
- getting funding for improving facilities and community use
- legal responsibilities, Health and Safety, access and fire regulations
- opening up to visitors, and
- increasing the pool of volunteers willing to look after the building.
Impact of grants
Research into the impact of the £25 million a year Repair Grants for Places of Worship (RGPW) scheme run jointly by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund reveals that 76% of congregations would not have been able to complete their repair and maintenance project at all without a grant. This means that over the last eight years, some 1,190 of England's most important places of worship would have become seriously at risk and 30% state that they would have closed, 17% indefinitely. This equates to up to 266 places of worship which could have been permanently closed. For 73% of places of worship, the RGPOW makes up more than 50% of the total cost of their repairs.
Research into the impact of the approximate £12 million a year Listed Places of Worship Scheme for England (LPWS) currently financed by the Treasury, reveals that although it only provides grants of 17.5% of the total cost, equivalent to the VAT, 1 in 5 recipients said they would not have been able to proceed without it. 86% of recipients polled said that their grant halted the decline of the building and 76% said it prevented irreversible damage.
Recipients of both schemes said grants helped them plan a more certain future for their place of worship avoiding more costly repairs later on. Grants helped them to increase numbers of visitors and broaden community use. Grants also impact on the local economy as the research found that 90% of recipients exclusively used local businesses to undertake repairs.
Dr Simon Thurley said
Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: "That 90% of places of worship are in fair condition is a huge testament to the hard work and altruism of their congregations. They take on responsibility for their building in addition to their commitment to worship and community service, finding almost all the necessary funding from their own pockets. They keep England's most beautiful buildings going for all of us to enjoy whether we want to be worshippers or not.
"However, our research suggests that the other 10% of listed places of worship may be in poor or very bad physical condition with major structural problems. We have also learned that many congregations do not know where to turn for the advice and support they deserve.
"In response, English Heritage has produced Caring for Places of Worship, a practical guide, DVD and website www.english-heritage.org.uk/powar pointing congregations in the direction of all the help and advice they have been telling us they want. Sponsorship from Ecclesiastical Insurance is enabling us to send this out to every listed place of worship in the country, plus thousands of unlisted ones, and to make it available to anyone who asks.
"Our research into the effect of the two main sources of state funding for places of worship underlines their vital importance to sustaining these jewels of local heritage in every city, town and village. The joint English Heritage/Heritage Lottery Fund scheme will run until at least 2013 but we urge the Government to respond to the call from the whole places of worship sector to continue the LPOW scheme beyond March 2011.
"We are also encouraging the different faith groups and Christian denominations to make the launch of Caring for Places of Worship the biggest ever co-ordinated offer of help to local congregations, reinforcing the good work already being done and supporting those that are struggling."
What others are doing
The Church of England has detailed advice, much of which is relevant to any place of worship. The National Churches Trust has appointed a National Support Officer, part-funded by English Heritage, to provide advice and information for Friends Groups on the telephone and on their website. The Churches Conservation Trust's Regeneration Task Force is helping prevent vulnerable churches from closing, English Heritage is continuing to offer part-funded Support Officers delivering expert advice at local level and the The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, using funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage, is running free Faith in Maintenance training courses for volunteers.
Get involved!
Dr Thurley concluded: "English Heritage estimates that there are £925 million of outstanding repairs to be done in the next five years. Grants of £40 million a year help but the vast majority of repairs have to come from voluntary giving and have to be undertaken and organised by congregations themselves. The current climate of increased unemployment, low interest rates and reduced returns on invested capital make fundraising a greater challenge than ever. Alongside this, some congregations are finding the responsibility harder to bear unless their whole community comes together to support its most historic and iconic building.
"I urge everyone who cares about their local church, chapel, synagogue or other place of worship to lend a hand. Don't be put off by what might seem like an impossible challenge - the key is to do small things really well. Finding somewhere to serve cups of tea might achieve just as much as a major building project. Clearing gutters could save the need for a whole new roof or renewing damp walls at a cost of thousands of pounds. Brambles cleared in a Cornish churchyard last year made way for a host of primroses this year and an influx of visitors as a result. Get hold of one of our Caring for Places of Worship booklets and get going!"
What next?
English Heritage will continue to assess places of worship all over the country and, in future, will add those which are most vulnerable to its Heritage at Risk register, making it easier for their congregations to attract the help they need from heritage organisations, local authorities and the wider community.
Sponsor's quote
Steve Wood, Managing Director of Ecclesiastical Insurance in the UK & Ireland, commented: "We were established over 120 years ago to protect the Anglican Church and we're still doing this today. We understand the challenges places of worship face and the responsibility they bear for protecting the nation's heritage. One thing is clear: they cannot do this alone. They need the support of communities around them in particular. Caring for Places of Worship is a valuable piece of work - it will highlight issues, but more importantly, it will give churches and other places of worship the support and advice they need."
Minister's Quote
John Penrose, Minister for Tourism and Heritage said: "England's cathedrals, churches and other places of worship are central to most people's views of our heritage. I am delighted that they're overwhelmingly in fine shape, it's a testament not only to public funding but, more importantly, to the dedication and hard work of thousands of volunteers who give up their time to keep them in good order. This booklet from English Heritage is a very useful and welcome guide to the practical issues involved in looking after these buildings, offering clear and sensible advice. I commend it to all involved in this most important work."
