Preservation of church buildings to be reviewed

THE FIRST government review to examine ways of sustaining England’s churches and cathedrals, many of which are Grade I listed, has been welcomed by the Church of England and the Catholic Church in England and Wales, writes Rose Gamble.

The English Churches and Cathedrals Sustainability Review, announced in the Chancellor’s Budget last week, will assess maintenance and repair pressures and examine ways to make rural churches with shrinking congregations financially sustainable.  

The Government’s move builds on similar efforts by the Church of England’s recent Church Buildings Review. That review included suggestions such as the Churches Conservation Trust’s “champing” (church camping) concept which allows people to stay overnight in rural churches, and encouraged community use of churches.

Vice-chairwoman of the Patrimony Committee of the Bishops’ Conference, Sophie Andreae, welcomed the government review though she said it was primarily a response to Church of England needs. There are just 700 listed Catholic churches and chapels across England and Wales as opposed to 16,000 Church of England churches. Ms Andreae pointed out that some suggestions for promoting financial stability, such as using churches for community events, would not be possible in Catholic churches due to the concept of sacred space.

The Church of England’s lead bishop for church buildings, John Inge, said: “They [churches] are the jewel in the crown of our built heritage and immensely important community hubs. The Review Group’s remit to look at new models of financing repairs and maintenance of churches and cathedrals, as well as increasing community use, supports the Church of England’s own aims. That the Government is taking responsibility in this area is very encouraging.”

The Chancellor, George Osborne, also announced a two-year, £20 million extension to the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund.