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| The church and other institutions in decline | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| In stressing the numerical decline of the Church of England, Simon Jenkins totally fails to note the decline of all traditional institutions (One sure way to save our churches – give them away, 10 October). If he examines the dramatic decline in membership of political parties and trade unions, the closure of local newspapers and the decline in newspaper readership, he might notice that membership of the Church of England has by comparison stood up rather well. | In stressing the numerical decline of the Church of England, Simon Jenkins totally fails to note the decline of all traditional institutions (One sure way to save our churches – give them away, 10 October). If he examines the dramatic decline in membership of political parties and trade unions, the closure of local newspapers and the decline in newspaper readership, he might notice that membership of the Church of England has by comparison stood up rather well. |
| He also fails to note that even at the height of Victorian restoration the parish churches of England have never been in a better state of repair, and that this is the result of the heroic efforts of local congregations enthusing the wider community. | He also fails to note that even at the height of Victorian restoration the parish churches of England have never been in a better state of repair, and that this is the result of the heroic efforts of local congregations enthusing the wider community. |
| Of course there is a challenge in facing the upkeep of so many historical buildings but some creative attempts are being made to make them multi-purpose, without losing that special atmosphere which makes them still the place where people want to go, “Since someone will forever be surprising / a hunger in himself to be more serious.”Richard HarriesHouse of Lords; former bishop of Oxford | Of course there is a challenge in facing the upkeep of so many historical buildings but some creative attempts are being made to make them multi-purpose, without losing that special atmosphere which makes them still the place where people want to go, “Since someone will forever be surprising / a hunger in himself to be more serious.”Richard HarriesHouse of Lords; former bishop of Oxford |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |