Every Church Counts
31 January 2024
The UK has some of the most historic and beautiful churches, chapels and meeting houses to be found anywhere in the world. But many are at risk of closing for good if urgent action is not taken.
- In England, there are now 900 places of worship on Historic England's at Risk Register - with 53 more added in 2023.
- In Wales, 25 per cent of historic churches and chapels have closed in the last decade.
- The Church of Scotland is actively planning to close as many as 30-40 per cent of its churches.
The National Churches Trust are doing everything that they can to support church buildings in need. You can help them be here for every church – and the people and communities who rely on them.
Sir Michael Palin CBE, who is Vice President of the National Churches Trust, says:
"Right now, many church buildings are in danger of closure. ‘Every Church Counts’ proposes a range of ways in which the future of the UK’s churches, chapels and meeting houses can be secured.
"If you care as much about the future of these much-loved buildings as I do, you’ll find that the National Churches Trust’s ‘Every Church Counts’ offers a way forward for these wonderful buildings."
The six point plan to save church buildings
A national plan is urgently needed to help secure the future of church buildings. The NCT six point plan is a blueprint for how the UK Government, heritage organisations and Christian denominations can work together to tackle the UK’s single biggest heritage challenge.
Here is a summary of the six points. If you would like to read more, please click here to visit the Every Church Counts campaign on the NCT Website.
- Point one: support for heroic volunteers
- Point two: our national help service
- Point three: funding to save priceless heritage
- Point four: on the visitor map
- Point five: churches open for all
- Point six: making change happen
