This booklet is for everyone involved in caring for England's 14,500 Grade I, II* and II listed places of worship.We hope you will share it as widely as possible. Much of the advice applies to any building, so it will help those caring for unlisted places of worship, halls and meeting rooms too. Clearing gutters or raising funds to mend the roof is probably not your main reason for being involved with a place of worship. But thousands of us do it, year in, year out, caretaking the nation's greatest architectural legacy, for the sake of past, current and future generations.
What is the scale of the challenge across the country? And what are the real needs and concerns of the parishioners and volunteers undertaking it? English Heritage's recent research suggests that most of the country's listed places of worship are in good condition but that around 10% may be in poor or very bad condition. There are many congregations who are successfully maintaining their faith buildings. However, there are others who, through no fault of their own, are struggling simply to keep the building watertight.
We, and other faith and heritage organisations with whom we work, would like to thank all the individuals involved in caring for places of worship who have shared their stories, knowledge and experience with us. What we have learnt has helped shape this booklet, the DVD and website which accompany it at www.english-heritage.org.uk/powar. We hope it is the start of a continuing conversation – one through which we can help congregations to help themselves, make our expertise their expertise and ultimately find a way forward for every historic place of worship in the country.
If you require an alternative accessible version of this document (for instance in audio, Braille or large print) please contact our Customer Services Department. Telephone: 0870 333 1181 Fax: 01793 414926 Textphone: 0800 015 0516 E-mail: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
