Being responsible for the repair and maintenance of a listed place of worship can be a daunting task.What can you do if building costs are spiralling and worshippers are getting fewer? Here are just a few practical ideas you may find useful.
Think hard!
Gather a team together. Are you making the best use of the building? Might there be other groups or activities that could benefit from sharing this wonderful but expensive space?
Talk locally
Share your problem with local community organisations. It might be a perfect opportunity for them. Voluntary organisations, local or national government initiatives, education bodies, private sector projects and other faith groups all need space for their activities.
Involve your organisation
Your denomination or faith group will be familiar with your situation. It should be able to offer advice, and may sometimes be able to help financially with loans or grants.They will also know when and how to involve English Heritage.
Contact your council’s Conservation Officer
Keeping historic buildings in good condition, alive and useful is their job and they will also know when to call in English Heritage.
Visit other places of worship
Talk to people, including those in other denominations or faith groups, who have been in the same position as you are now.
Investigate funding
For repairs, first ask your English Heritage regional office for information about our joint grant scheme with the Heritage Lottery Fund. For new facilities, ask your local council about any regeneration grants in your area and they should know who else you could contact regionally.
Pace the project
Don’t always try to do everything at once. Get the building stable,weather-tight and sustainable, but leave room for the project to evolve.
Think hard!
Gather a team together. Are you making the best use of the building? Might there be other groups or activities that could benefit from sharing this wonderful but expensive space?
Talk locally
Share your problem with local community organisations. It might be a perfect opportunity for them. Voluntary organisations, local or national government initiatives, education bodies, private sector projects and other faith groups all need space for their activities.
Involve your organisation
Your denomination or faith group will be familiar with your situation. It should be able to offer advice, and may sometimes be able to help financially with loans or grants.They will also know when and how to involve English Heritage.
Contact your council’s Conservation Officer
Keeping historic buildings in good condition, alive and useful is their job and they will also know when to call in English Heritage.
Visit other places of worship
Talk to people, including those in other denominations or faith groups, who have been in the same position as you are now.
Investigate funding
For repairs, first ask your English Heritage regional office for information about our joint grant scheme with the Heritage Lottery Fund. For new facilities, ask your local council about any regeneration grants in your area and they should know who else you could contact regionally.
Pace the project
Don’t always try to do everything at once. Get the building stable,weather-tight and sustainable, but leave room for the project to evolve.