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Simon Jenkins makes many pertinent points about the possible future of many of England’s “most beautiful buildings” (Churches can survive – but the religion will have to go, 22 October). However, his comments that “in the 1970s the city of Norwich sold off half its 32 medieval churches as redundant”, and that they “today present a sad spectacle, converted into houses, shops and warehouses”, couldn’t be less accurate or more unfair. Simon Jenkins makes many pertinent points about the possible future of many of England’s “most beautiful buildings” (Churches can survive – but the religion will have to go, 22 October). However, his comments that “in the 1970s the city of Norwich sold off half its 32 medieval churches as redundant”, and that they “today present a sad spectacle, converted into houses, shops and warehouses”, couldn’t be less accurate or more unfair.
At the time in question, 18 redundant churches were placed in the hands of the Norwich Historic Churches Trust, a charity which has maintained the buildings to a high standard and improved many of their facilities, by letting them out to tenants. Far from becoming shops or warehouses they now, for the most part, play host to a wide range of important cultural organisations and activities, including: Norwich Arts Centre; Norwich Puppet Theatre; Hungate Medieval Art Centre; plus a music academy, a dance studio, a gallery, an arts studio, a theatre workshop, the Stonemason’s Guild, and more. This seems to go some considerable way towards achieving the “social and cultural focus” Mr Jenkins claims to be looking for. At the time in question, 18 redundant churches were placed in the hands of the Norwich Historic Churches Trust, a charity which has maintained the buildings to a high standard and improved many of their facilities, by letting them out to tenants. Far from becoming shops or warehouses they now, for the most part, play host to a wide range of important cultural organisations and activities, including: Norwich Arts Centre; Norwich Puppet Theatre; Hungate Medieval Art Centre; plus a music academy, a dance studio, a gallery, an arts studio, a theatre workshop, the Stonemason’s Guild, and more. This seems to go some considerable way towards achieving the “social and cultural focus” Mr Jenkins claims to be looking for.
Few of Norwich’s medieval churches lack individual charm, and the impact of their density on the historic character of the city’s contemporary urban landscape is profound. They are much loved; and many people have worked hard over the difficult period of the last 40 years to protect them. Support, rather than unfounded criticism, would be a welcome contribution to these efforts.Neil BluntVice-chair, Norwich Historic Churches TrustFew of Norwich’s medieval churches lack individual charm, and the impact of their density on the historic character of the city’s contemporary urban landscape is profound. They are much loved; and many people have worked hard over the difficult period of the last 40 years to protect them. Support, rather than unfounded criticism, would be a welcome contribution to these efforts.Neil BluntVice-chair, Norwich Historic Churches Trust
• I agree entirely with Simon Jenkins that church buildings should be used imaginatively for communal activities. However, when I read his comparison of York and Norwich in this context, I thought that either he has mixed up the two cities and/or he has never been to Norwich.• I agree entirely with Simon Jenkins that church buildings should be used imaginatively for communal activities. However, when I read his comparison of York and Norwich in this context, I thought that either he has mixed up the two cities and/or he has never been to Norwich.
I love both cities, being a Yorkshireman educated in York and having lived in Norwich for more than 20 years. Let us be clear: it is Norwich that has shown how church conversion could be done. For a start Norwich has 23 medieval churches that are not in use for their traditional religious purpose and are therefore available as alternative venues. York has only nine, of which two are cafes and one is a bar. By contrast, and contrary to what Simon says, only two of Norwich’s medieval churches are houses or shops. I love both cities, being a Yorkshireman educated in York and having lived in Norwich for more than 20 years. Let us be clear: it is Norwich that has shown how church conversion could be done. For a start Norwich has 23 medieval churches that are not in use for their traditional religious purpose and are therefore available as alternative venues. York has only nine, of which two are cafes and one is a bar. By contrast, and contrary to what Simon says, only two of Norwich’s medieval churches are houses or shops.
I would encourage everyone to come to see this “sad spectacle” in Norwich for themselves – even atheists (like me) will be uplifted.Mike MosleyNorwichI would encourage everyone to come to see this “sad spectacle” in Norwich for themselves – even atheists (like me) will be uplifted.Mike MosleyNorwich
• Innovative thinking about how to maintain our parish churches into the future does not amount to a “cry of pain” in the Church of England’s recent report on buildings.• Innovative thinking about how to maintain our parish churches into the future does not amount to a “cry of pain” in the Church of England’s recent report on buildings.
Our churches are in better physical condition than at any time since the Reformation. As Simon himself notes, they are already used for a variety of purposes from foodbanks to post offices. Far from being closed to others, many open their space to worship for Christians of other traditions, especially from Asia and Africa, either new to this country or rapidly growing because of immigration. People of all faiths and none contribute financially to their upkeep and to the activities that make them hubs for their communities.Our churches are in better physical condition than at any time since the Reformation. As Simon himself notes, they are already used for a variety of purposes from foodbanks to post offices. Far from being closed to others, many open their space to worship for Christians of other traditions, especially from Asia and Africa, either new to this country or rapidly growing because of immigration. People of all faiths and none contribute financially to their upkeep and to the activities that make them hubs for their communities.
Simon seems to think that if prayer is banished from churches, and they are converted into secular heritage centres, then local taxpayers can be stuck with the bill for maintaining them. I can think of no measure more likely to provoke legitimate resentment when public sector budgets have been cut to the bone, and more guaranteed to ensure their decay in the longer term. Compare our parish churches, mostly beautifully maintained by committed worshippers with the support of their neighbours, with those of France, where state responsibility has left them in a much poorer state. Simon seems to think that if prayer is banished from churches, and they are converted into secular heritage centres, then local taxpayers can be stuck with the bill for maintaining them. I can think of no measure more likely to provoke legitimate resentment when public sector budgets have been cut to the bone, and more guaranteed to ensure their decay in the longer term. Compare our parish churches, mostly beautifully maintained by committed worshippers with the support of their neighbours, with those of France, where state responsibility has left them in a much poorer state.
Against the hyper-rational materialism that we are often enjoined to see as the only basis for living sensibly, our churches are oases of peace at the heart of every community, dedicated to something as wonderfully unprovable as prayer – and useful for many other things as well.Gerry LynchDirector of communications, Diocese of Salisbury Against the hyper-rational materialism that we are often enjoined to see as the only basis for living sensibly, our churches are oases of peace at the heart of every community, dedicated to something as wonderfully unprovable as prayer – and useful for many other things as well.Gerry LynchDirector of communications, Diocese of Salisbury
• Churches are surviving in the ways Simon Jenkins describes: St Barnabas in inner-city Sheffield was made redundant, remodelled and opened as St Barnabas House in 1991 to provide sheltered housing in 27 one-bedroom flats for over-60s, particularly Chinese elders, all within the original 1876 facade.John BaileySt Albans, Hertfordshire• Churches are surviving in the ways Simon Jenkins describes: St Barnabas in inner-city Sheffield was made redundant, remodelled and opened as St Barnabas House in 1991 to provide sheltered housing in 27 one-bedroom flats for over-60s, particularly Chinese elders, all within the original 1876 facade.John BaileySt Albans, Hertfordshire
• Simon Jenkins describes beautifully the challenge facing historic parish churches and the vital role they play in the community and cultural life of this country. In rural areas in particular, the church is increasingly the last public building left and the only place where people can engage in civil society. What he didn’t mention is that the government and the church already have an effective model for protecting them, in a unique partnership forged between them back in 1969, deep in Beeching times. • Simon Jenkins describes beautifully the challenge facing historic parish churches and the vital role they play in the community and cultural life of this country. In rural areas in particular, the church is increasingly the last public building left and the only place where people can engage in civil society. What he didn’t mention is that the government and the church already have an effective model for protecting them, in a unique partnership forged between them back in 1969, deep in Beeching times.
The Churches Conservation Trust, the charity that invented Champing –, brings a vibrant mix of secular, worship and even commercial uses – with the help of thousands of volunteers – to 347 of England’s beautiful Grade I and II* churches. The trust combines support from the public – churchgoing and not – with commercial and tourism activities and grants to create solutions for these amazing but challenging buildings which keep them open to the public and in worthwhile use, without losing their essential spirit and beauty. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, the national trust Simon seeks for churches is ready and willing to do more.Crispin TrumanChief executive, The Churches Conservation Trust The Churches Conservation Trust, the charity that invented Champing –, brings a vibrant mix of secular, worship and even commercial uses – with the help of thousands of volunteers – to 347 of England’s beautiful Grade I and II* churches. The trust combines support from the public – churchgoing and not – with commercial and tourism activities and grants to create solutions for these amazing but challenging buildings which keep them open to the public and in worthwhile use, without losing their essential spirit and beauty. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, the national trust Simon seeks for churches is ready and willing to do more.Crispin TrumanChief executive, The Churches Conservation Trust
• As a humanist celebrant I have long thought that churches should be open to non-religious funerals, weddings and namings. They are crying out to be community hubs. There are all sorts of things that should be in walking distance if we want to live in a country that supports elderly people, parents with young children, people with disabilities, and refugees.• As a humanist celebrant I have long thought that churches should be open to non-religious funerals, weddings and namings. They are crying out to be community hubs. There are all sorts of things that should be in walking distance if we want to live in a country that supports elderly people, parents with young children, people with disabilities, and refugees.
The British Humanist Association, which trains, accredits and supports celebrants, is campaigning hard to separate church from state so that all faiths and philosophies can be given equal rights but none can be imposed on our children in school or privileged in parliament.The British Humanist Association, which trains, accredits and supports celebrants, is campaigning hard to separate church from state so that all faiths and philosophies can be given equal rights but none can be imposed on our children in school or privileged in parliament.
Thank you Simon Jenkins for issuing the call to convert churches – this is simultaneously a brilliant idea and a no-brainer.Hester BrownLondonThank you Simon Jenkins for issuing the call to convert churches – this is simultaneously a brilliant idea and a no-brainer.Hester BrownLondon
• Like Simon Jenkins I often visit Anglican churches, to admire their architecture not to worship. But as an ex-Christian, now an assertive secularist, I have reservations about their being reused for alternative community purposes without guarantees of a clear separation from residual religious practices. Parents who send their child to a church-based play group rightly fear that care will be mingled with covert indoctrination. Written guides to a church building often mix historical information with blatant religiosity. And can I be sure that any financial contribution I leave will be used solely on the fabric of the building and not to support the institution’s Christian functions? Over centuries the Church of England has done much harm – as well as some good – and I do not want to be party to arresting its justifiable demise.Jef SmithLondon• Like Simon Jenkins I often visit Anglican churches, to admire their architecture not to worship. But as an ex-Christian, now an assertive secularist, I have reservations about their being reused for alternative community purposes without guarantees of a clear separation from residual religious practices. Parents who send their child to a church-based play group rightly fear that care will be mingled with covert indoctrination. Written guides to a church building often mix historical information with blatant religiosity. And can I be sure that any financial contribution I leave will be used solely on the fabric of the building and not to support the institution’s Christian functions? Over centuries the Church of England has done much harm – as well as some good – and I do not want to be party to arresting its justifiable demise.Jef SmithLondon
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• This article was amended on 25 October 2015. In an earlier version, the picture caption misplaced All Saints Church in Walesby, Nottinghamshire.