EH Heritage at Risk Survey 2010: Places of Worship

English Heritage is researching the physical condition of Places of Worship. On 30th June, it will announce the results of a sample survey.

This survey, as part of its Heritage at Risk programme, offers an insight into the condition of England’s listed faith buildings. It will reveal how many are likely to be at serious risk of decay and explore what is happening in others to maintain these national treasures for the future.

England has some 14,500 listed places of worship – mostly Church of England churches (85%), Catholic churches, Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed and other Nonconformist chapels, Jewish synagogues and Quaker meeting houses — but what condition are England’s listed churches and other historic faith buildings really in and what will most help the congregations whose task it is to maintain them?

Most of the country’s 14,500 listed places of worship are in good condition and are a huge asset to their communities, thanks almost entirely to the work of volunteers. Many are adapting to incorporate crèches, cafés and post offices alongside worship. But some are struggling simply to keep open. The cost of maintaining these beautiful buildings is an on-going challenge, not least because what makes them special within our landscape is also what makes them more costly to repair than less spectacular buildings. The survey should reveal how many at “at risk” from serious disrepair.

Find out more on the English Heritage website. See www.english-heritage.org.uk/powar for how register.