Survey shows church buildings play ‘key role’ – but urgently need maintenance

The results of the National Churches Trust Survey, published today, establish new and up-to-date facts about the state of the UK’s church buildings.
 
The survey, the most comprehensive of its kind, was open to all of the estimated 47,000 churches, chapels and meeting houses in the UK.

It has found that these buildings play a key role in local life as venues for volunteering and community activities – but a critical number need support in undertaking repairs and maintenance.
 
Andrew Edwards, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said: “Through a single, national survey we now have a better understanding of church buildings across the UK. The survey shows that open, accessible church buildings provide communities with a significant resource. Voluntary action that takes place locally often needs a physical space in which to happen, and it is clear that church buildings help fill that need.”

KEY FINDINGS

– The majority of church buildings are open and being used, for both regular worship and other purposes. More than 90% of the UK’s church buildings hold a service at least once a week and nearly 80% are used for other purposes, including community activities. More than half are regularly open to the public beyond their worship services.
 
– Church buildings are significant venues for volunteering. Some 1.4 million members of church congregations volunteer in any capacity in their church building along with an estimated further 200,000 people from the wider community. 20% of the UK’s church buildings have more than 50 people volunteering in the building, and in less populated rural areas over a third have more than 20 volunteers.
 
– Church buildings are important cultural venues. Nearly half of the UK’s church buildings are used for arts, music and dance activities.
 
– Church buildings are key locations for supporting children and young people. More than half of the UK’s church buildings facilitate activities such as nurseries, youth groups and additional activities for young people.
 
– Church buildings are significant places for support and counselling. More than two-fifths of the UK’s church buildings are used for support and counselling services on issues such as homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse, finance and debt, parenting and mental health.
 
– Church buildings are important in the administration of the democratic process. More than 4,600 church buildings served as polling places at the 2010 general election, around one-sixth of the total number of locations used for this purpose.
 
– Many church buildings have key facilities, but there is room for improvement. Buildings with adequate heating, toilets or tea/coffee-making facilities are more likely to offer additional community activities. Nearly a third of churches lack toilets. Listed buildings are generally less well equipped.
 
– A critical number of churches need help. Whilst most buildings are in good or fair condition – a testament to the hard work of the churches themselves and external funders – 8% are in poor or very poor condition.
 
– Urgent repairs cost an average of £80,000, to those buildings in the survey sample in need of them. The most commonly required repairs identified as urgent are to roofs, heating and rainwater goods.
 
– ‘Friends’ groups that support churches demonstrate community involvement and provide additional funds for church buildings. The results suggest that there are a significant number of Friends’ groups in existence, involving thousands of people, of whom more than half are not members of the local congregation.
 

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