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| Some churches will only open for Christmas – CofE report | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An increasing number of churches are likely to operate only at Christmas, Easter and on other holy days as the Church of England struggles with the financial burden of maintaining its properties in the face of declining congregations, a report says. | An increasing number of churches are likely to operate only at Christmas, Easter and on other holy days as the Church of England struggles with the financial burden of maintaining its properties in the face of declining congregations, a report says. |
| More than three-quarters of the CofE’s 15,700 churches are listed, and in 2013 their upkeep cost £157m – or an average of £10,000 per parish. Yet one in four of all churches has a weekly attendance of fewer than 16 people – and for rural churches the figure sinks below 10. | More than three-quarters of the CofE’s 15,700 churches are listed, and in 2013 their upkeep cost £157m – or an average of £10,000 per parish. Yet one in four of all churches has a weekly attendance of fewer than 16 people – and for rural churches the figure sinks below 10. |
| Related: Vicars needed: the Church of England's fight to fill its vacancies in the north | Related: Vicars needed: the Church of England's fight to fill its vacancies in the north |
| According to the report of the CofE’s church building review group, this means “very small congregations bear a heavy burden of maintenance”. | According to the report of the CofE’s church building review group, this means “very small congregations bear a heavy burden of maintenance”. |
| It adds: “The long-term decrease in church attendance and increasing age profile of church congregations poses an urgent challenge to the Church of England if it is to be faithful to its vocation to proclaim the gospel afresh in each generation and maintain a Christian presence in every community.” | It adds: “The long-term decrease in church attendance and increasing age profile of church congregations poses an urgent challenge to the Church of England if it is to be faithful to its vocation to proclaim the gospel afresh in each generation and maintain a Christian presence in every community.” |
| Despite grants and rebates worth £120m a year, the report says more churches will need to restrict their use to big occasions to avert a “sharp upturn” in the number of closures. | Despite grants and rebates worth £120m a year, the report says more churches will need to restrict their use to big occasions to avert a “sharp upturn” in the number of closures. |
| It says: “The notion of ‘festival churches’ is gaining currency in rural areas ... [and] could help relieve some of the pressures and time constraints on clergy and congregations where churches are not needed for regular Sunday worship.” | It says: “The notion of ‘festival churches’ is gaining currency in rural areas ... [and] could help relieve some of the pressures and time constraints on clergy and congregations where churches are not needed for regular Sunday worship.” |
| But it adds: “We recognise there will be a continuing need for some [churches] to close.” Between 20 and 25 churches have closed down each year for the past 20 years. | But it adds: “We recognise there will be a continuing need for some [churches] to close.” Between 20 and 25 churches have closed down each year for the past 20 years. |
| Related: Why it was the world wide web that finally did for the Anglican communion | Giles Fraser: Loose canon | Related: Why it was the world wide web that finally did for the Anglican communion | Giles Fraser: Loose canon |
| As well as the financial burden of maintaining churches, the report points to a shortage of both clergy and lay officials. “It is difficult to attract clergy to serve in rural communities where they will have responsibility for several church buildings with small congregations,” it says. Stipendiary clergy are responsible for three or four churches in almost a quarter of England’s 40 dioceses. | As well as the financial burden of maintaining churches, the report points to a shortage of both clergy and lay officials. “It is difficult to attract clergy to serve in rural communities where they will have responsibility for several church buildings with small congregations,” it says. Stipendiary clergy are responsible for three or four churches in almost a quarter of England’s 40 dioceses. |
| The report asks: “Will sufficient people be willing to act as church wardens and [parish council] secretaries and treasurers to enable sparsely attended churches to continue?” | The report asks: “Will sufficient people be willing to act as church wardens and [parish council] secretaries and treasurers to enable sparsely attended churches to continue?” |
| On the upside, the report points to innovative uses of church buildings, enabling many to continue as places of worship while also hosting village shops, post offices, food banks and arts venues. A separate CofE report published this year found that 14% of churches were using their premises as food banks. | On the upside, the report points to innovative uses of church buildings, enabling many to continue as places of worship while also hosting village shops, post offices, food banks and arts venues. A separate CofE report published this year found that 14% of churches were using their premises as food banks. |
| The CofE needs “significant, ongoing help” to maintain its listed cathedrals and churches, including the continuation of government grants, the report says. “These buildings are everyone’s heritage,” it adds. | The CofE needs “significant, ongoing help” to maintain its listed cathedrals and churches, including the continuation of government grants, the report says. “These buildings are everyone’s heritage,” it adds. |