Crumbling churches are ‘UK’s biggest heritage challenge’

Thousands of places of worship have shut since 2013 and more than 900 on heritage at risk' register

Thousands of church buildings are in such a dire state that they are facing closure, according to a campaign that says the situation is the UK's single biggest heritage challenge.

Churches, chapels and meeting houses were under threat because of a shortage of funds and expertise to maintain them, the National Churches Trust said. This was putting important community services and social spaces at risk, including food and warm banks, it added.

To save church buildings, the trust has launched Every Church Counts, a manifesto" of six actions. They include public funding of 50m for urgent repairs; expanding the use of church buildings for community services such as food banks, nurseries, youth clubs and warm spaces; and cultural activities including concerts, exhibitions and craft fairs.