Should Britain's abandoned church buildings be saved? 

It is the duty of the state to protect cultural heritage buildings and architectures with religious significance...

The tiny rural village I reside in, with a population of just 287, has recently raised £50k to repair the roof of the 1000 yr old church which was seriously damaged in a storm last year. The ecclesiastical “specialist” insurers, who inspect the church every year, deemed the damage was brought about because it had not been maintained properly (though they had not reported this at any point in their annual “inspection reports” ), rather than the effects of the storm (!). The Church of England would not support the renovation financially (the richest landowner in the country). The insurers then asked for us to renew the church’s insurance (!!!). However, they are deemed the only suitable insurers by the Church of England, and thus have a monopoly. The church is regularly, though rarely used, as it is just one of 14 churches in the benefice. I really wish someone would come up with a viable plan for the future of this church and many like it, as there appears to be so many impediments to progress. This was all reported on local radio (Radio Solent) a few months ago - though any facts that might have been deemed “offensive” to either the insurers or the Church of England were withheld by the local interviewees. The responsibility seems to sit entirely with the 287 members of the village - a few rich landowners admittedly, but the majority just ordinary people.

Heartbreaking to lose ones history. And the UK has some of the GREATEST & MOST FASCINATING history on the planet. Am thankful to these folks who care about these wonderful old buildings. 😢

I loved the fact that the lady interviewed was so passionate about saving our churches for future generations to enjoy, Happy New Year to all.

Churches should be saved as much as possible. If a church cant be saved due to money, conversion into something usefull that will save the building is great. These buildings are our heritage and should be saved as much as possible.

I think that they definitely should be saved.

Maybe if the church of England focused on spirituality rather than preaching about politics then church numbers would be a lot higher than they are now.

It shouldn't matter if they are churches or not. Any building that old deserves to be saved. It even makes me sad seeing 150 year old farmhouses and barns rotting here in the US.

Yes bring them back to it's full glory with Sunday services

Yes, we need more churches, they are historical monuments.

Convert them into libraries, cultural centres, places for poetry events, exhibition space and art studio space etc. Lottery money could be used to make this into a living space for the community.

I was baptised in the evangelical Christian denomination,and we believe that the church is the wherever the people(believers) gather to have fellowship is the church,regardless of where the location is! But it really would be a shame to see these beautiful old buildings go!

Yes they are worth saving! It’s not even a question it’s apart of the dying UK culture. They need to be protected.

Yes they should be saved, problems today are people are always taking away our heritages, ripping them down, building houses, or playgrounds, or god forbid more car parks, these places especially churches, are still in use for community, and if anything is needed more, that is what they are, community involvement places . So we can still have at least that !

Each one of the 9000 medieval churches is a piece of History of this Country and must be seen that way. They should be restored carefully and according to the possibilities of the Nation. Makes me very happy seeing young responsible and capable people heading and fighting for such issues.

May God Bless Those Volunteers!

They are all part of our national heritage and should be saved

Irrespective of their intended use, these buildings are worthy of restoration and saving. I told a friend of mine why I'd donated to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral - its contribution to the history of music can not be ignored. It would be nice if they could be returned to use, secular or sacred, but there's a lot of history in those buildings: artwork, monuments.

What a terrible question.

England's 9,000 medieval churches are greatest art collections in Europe. They should be used as community centres. Not just for worship. Farmers markets, Bingo, Youth clubs, WI, Judo lessons etc

Yes.

Yes

COE needs to sell some of these churches to the multiple (largely immigrant) Protestant congregations that hire secular venues for weekly services. Like it or not, it’s Christian immigrants that are keeping the Christian presence in the UK alive.

Well yes it should be kept open to anyone places of worship should always stay open and should not be attacked by anyone like all other religious places ❤

Yes saving them for the history they contain and maintain, their the greatest treasure for the fact their history goes back farther than Britain’s know.

Once they are gone they are gone. If we decide to neglect these building and the history and religion they document, we are making this decision for the future generations too, not just our own. I see so many old community buildings getting bulldozed..it really makes the country feel like a flimsy housing estate in many areas. So many old pubs and post offices have disappeared in my living memory, and I'm only in my 30s. But the architecture of Churches are exceptional. Personally I seldom appreciate modern art and architecture. These buildings were built to last. Hope they do. So many times I've found peace sitting in a quiet old church.

In Germany we have a Church tax which is used to maintain the old cathedrals and churches. It is extra surcharge on Income tax which church members pay. For other old buildings other than the religious ones. The property tax is waived for new owners provided they repair it in the original architecture style, then they can use the building for a commercial purpose.

Restore them but reuse them for other things. Similar to my view on castles.

It is our heritage they are beautiful to look at & should be saved. Modern buildings are so ugly & soul destroying.

We will need them when the revival happens.

I would say restoring them to their former glory after all it is a church ( a Holy Spiritual place of worship and prayer) . Even if no Mass is being said - it can be used to house pilgrims and homeless people who can work on the premises and help grow the community. Rather, than doing the obnoxious thing and using them as pubs and restaurants. Everything has a place of value and the Church is of highest value. There is a price one pays when they don't think and act.

Of course our churches should be saved! Britain is a Christian country & we need to keep our identity alive!

Yes, they're patrimony. They need to be saved and restored

Medieval churches should be saved, and there should be no doubt in this matter. The buildings are unique and ancient and create an old English ambience to the countryside. I visit ancient churches, but I am not religious to any extent. I came across a ruined church near Wold Newton, Lincolnshire on my walks and that has been repaired sympathetically by the church trust recently, this included a new roof and stone work. An old country church represents Britain at its best.

Yes, they should! By all means. Not for the religion connotation but for their architectural and historical value.

The Church of England has an endowment of £8.7 billion, generating about £1 billion annually. Its investment portfolio managed by the Church Commissioners is worth £9.2 billion. The portfolio includes diverse assets like farmland and infrastructure, totaling over £2.5 billion. The Church's investment fund recently achieved record returns. Save the buildings, yes, but don't feel too sorry for them I'd say.

Absolutely they should these places are often the only buildings of merit in many rural and some inner city areas , they are worth saving for the beauty and heritage of these places

These buildings are often works of art, they often contain burials inside. If they can't be used as churches then they need to start being used for the communities they serve, which to me is what church should be about. Helping others.

Yes. Restore them so people with nowhere else to go can rely on a church for sanctuary. Help home the homeless.

Most of my ancestors built most of the uk historical churches some dating over 1000 years ago

The church is in your heart

The lost sheep certainly was. Thanks be to the Lord God Jesus. 🎉

Yes , two churches where I live are shops that sells carpets. Sad 😢

Fixing a slipped slate straight away prolongs life of buildings by decades and costs very little . I am astonished on lack of charitable fixing and loads of rip off full reroofs . As an ex builder i can say churches are `preyed` upon .

Yes!!! Where else are beautiful windows like that?😊

I love the lady who saved the church ❤what a pure soul

I would say yes and immediately too. The United Kingdom is too beautiful. the people should start to have more faith again✝️

❤❤❤yes it's our history and heritage ❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙌

If people actually went church then it would be a better country. I say this as a muslim.

Tenby Church is beautiful, and precious as a work of art. One does not have to be religious to save them. They are precious, and I separate spiritual places from often hypocritical religious Sunday services.

I am for saving every one of these churches even if they are converted to other non-religous purposes, as long as they are well-maintained. The one in Sussex that looks to be a pub is gorgeous, and I have seen others that are the most beautiful restaurants with all architectural features and stained glass intact. To make one a community centre for the enjoyment of all is also commendable. The most divine use would be if a congregation could take on such project and then bring the church back to life as their place of worship. Many chuches now have chairs instead of pews, making it possible to invite the community to use it when religious services are not scheduled as a theatre for live performances, or clearing large areas of seats for community activities.

Quite a dilemma for local communities trying to come to terms with the place religious worship has in the changing cultural landscape of the United Kingdom. I feel Niall Gooch talks a lot of pragmatic sense when he considers the practical considerations faced by communities today, such as Housing and the best use of financial resources. No getting away from it, that beautiful old church featured in the report, St Lawrence's, exemplifies the dilemma we face. Is it a valuable and irreplaceable example of the religious and cultural heritage of the United Kingdom? Or, is it an anachronistic specimen of an outmoded era, and a drain on the communities financial resources. I feel torn!

Well might as well Abolish everything that’s British 🇬🇧 where has protected Heritage gone ? Countries like Italy for example tend to keep theirs ! So thinking for the tourists 👀! But yeah why not make Britain a big car park 🇬🇧

Fine architecture or historic significance speak for themselves. But if the building is not required for its original purpose, as churches are not, alternative use is the obvious path to preservation. And given the national shortage of housing, conversion to living accomodation is the most obvious and charitable possibility. But since Jesus was not averse to a good party, pubs, eating places, etc., seem equally appropriate.

Yes... please save them ...

The Church of England has a large endowment of £8.7 billion which generates approximately £1 billion a year in income (2019). They are also happy to sell land for new build projects in villages even when the locals are against it.

People want churches ⛪️ to exist but couldn’t be bothered with the hard work of worship

Absolutely.

Yes, they should be saved. They are part of English history and a fundamental part of England. Don't let the Muslim religion overtake this lovely free country. We are in danger of dying out and our culture and freedom's lost.

Speaking as an atheist, I love church buildings. Not all of them can be saved, but we should certainly make an effort. If nothing else, I see no reason why they shouldn't perform their traditional roles, but not necessarily in a religious way: as centres for the community to come together, as places of contemplation, and as places to hold the important ceremonies of our lives. If local communities could run their own church buildings with that aim in mind, hopefully with government support (either local or national), I'm sure that's something most people could get behind. Churches can also be repurposed as museums, or nice local tearooms. I know a a couple of great indoor climbing centres which used to be churches.

4:20 More development of housing?? What about Englands green and pleasant land!

A Church in England is the most beautiful thing in this world

Yes. Save them.

Yes, even if a lot of people are moving away from the church, the cultural significance is too great to abandon these buildings, I have even seen some old churches being taken over & used by other religions, that’s not something we should allow

After the defeat of Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo,France ,was made to pay this country £1 million ,in war reperations , an act of parliament was passed,this called the " million "act. It was used to finance the building of churches in this country. In Wakefield 3 were built,at alverthorpe,thornes,& in my village of stanley.they were known as "Waterloo" churches.

Instead of abandoning them. Teach people about them. Teach people about Cymatics.

I would love to own and live in a church.

Abandoning your churches and leaving them up for sale. That is such a disrespect towards your ancestors. Thank God that in my country that won't happen.

As an Indian I strongly urge GB to restore the church buildings as they are your heritage.

Of course they MUST be saved!!!!

Many of these are Chapels and Meeting houses, not Churches. The Churches Conservation Trust look after 400 redundant medieval and Georgian churches. They get very little Government money. Just donations.

Definitely 💯

They make good community centres, under new management.

Yes definitely

Whilst our Archbishop Welby gave £110 million to descendants of slaves he cant even look after his own church

Save all churches!! They are sacred ground.

I think many are worth saving. In Eastern Germany we turned many churches into libraries or centers for meeting and study. This way, the old superstitions could be replaced by education, and the real estate was put to good use.

It makes as much sense as trying to keep a chronically ailing 99-year old alive with repeated defibrillation. Let it go. There is beauty, grace and a universal spirituality in accepting change and the ageing process. The church has a silly amount of wealth and could do so much more, more like it used to do in the olden days of Christian philanthropy. It really hit me one day, walking into the church in the old town in Croydon - on one side of the entrance was a box labelled 'donations for the church spire repair' and on the other was a sign saying 'on no account can we give anyone any money'. how is that Christian??

Yes they should

This is history and cultural heritage. This is not a religious issue.

I wonder whats caused so many people to simply abandon the faith of their ancestors?

The simple answer is "YES".

All churches should be protected and be listed buildings . they are historic buildings being centuries old .

Of course they should be rescued! Norwich has tons of them! It’s what makes Norwich, Norwich!

Yes. Definitely.

IS THERE ANYWAY TO SUPPORT THIS LADY AND HER WORK?

its our culture and history, why wouldnt they be saved?

Bishop Ramsbury needs to visit the converted churches and ask the community if they know the history of the disused church. I am willing to bet more than half have no clue as to the history. Anyone born in the 90's does not really care, it is something their nan or grandad would know.

No question they should be restored,. As an American I envy the British for even having these very old buildings to save. Perhaps a tour of the works-in-progress could help with donations.

Really good work ... Should receive Government Funding.

Just another ploy to dismantle the history of the country for a quick buck elsewhere. The country has become cheap and tacky.

i think these buildings have been the focus of thier comunities for hundreds of years, they are part of who we are and have importaint historical relevance, it is so importaint that we know where we came from, especialy when our culture is changing rapidly

If people want these churches saved they really should support them financially and practically.

Definitely should be saved. These wonderful buildings were built to the Glory of God and compared to most modern buildings are so beautiful.

These churches are living history, A connection to the past. its not just about function or the idea that every single thing has to have a purpose just to exist.

As a U.S. citizen, please save them! Think of tourists and others that enjoy the architecture and history! Could they spur some sort of arts/nature/performance center around these? Hopefully, money can be raised.

Personally I think all churches should be retained as having them is an absolutely essential aspect of our collective history and we are in many ways quite unique in having such a diverse and numerous collection which permeate all parts of the UK. How they are repurposed is up to particular conditions and circumstances. Provided the structure and fittings are retained - then we have done our best.

There are some church organisations who are renting in school halls. I believe those churches should be given for free to other church congregations without churches and are willing to continue with Christianity. Britain is a Christian country, why abandoned their religious? Churches are legacy from the forefathers who used to be worshippers. There is no fashion on loving the Lord God. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, and can not be changed by circumstances, He remains God. The first coming of Jesus Christ was for salvation and the second coming will be for judgement. Let's keep the faith and be defenders of faith. Stand up for Jesus Christ. 💖✝️🌈

Well done restore the old churches, rather them than mosques

It's our heritage and it's beauty and art and if we can should preserve it , there's plenty of horrible ugly modern buildings that are derelict that can be knocked down an reused with out ruining the countryside and our history