REVEALED: CONDITION OF REGION’S PLACES OF WORSHIP

The first ever sample survey of the 1,300 listed places of worship in Yorkshire and the Humber published today (Wednesday 30 June) by English Heritage suggests that approximately 94% are in good or fair condition, but 6% are potentially at risk of needing urgent major repairs.*

The survey, which is part of English Heritage’s Heritage at Risk initiative, was carried out to assess the state of repair of places of worship and also to find out how congregations are coping with the responsibility of looking after these precious buildings, especially in today’s difficult economic climate.

In response, English Heritage has produced Caring for Places of Worship, a practical guide, DVD and website www.english-heritage.org.uk/powar pointing congregations in the direction of help and advice. This will be sent to all South Yorkshire’s places of worship.

Heritage chiefs have also praised the congregation at Highfield Trinity Methodist Church, London Road, Sheffield, for helping to rescue the previously crumbling Grade II building and putting it back at the heart of the community. They say it is a beacon for others follow.

They also report a brighter future for St George’s Minster in Doncaster. The stunning Grade I building – built in 1854 and one of the finest designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, was in a bad state of repair 10 years ago and had been cut off from the town by the inner relief road. Four phases of repairs have stemmed the decay and English Heritage has also made a grant to fund a post holder whose job is to work with the local authority to ensure the Minster is integrated with regeneration proposals and look at new uses for the building whilst maintaining it primary role as a cherished place of worship.

South Yorkshire has 182 listed churches, temples and chapels. Of these 28 are in Barnsley (7 at Grade I, the highest ranking, denoting outstanding national significance), 50 in Doncaster (18 Grade I). 30 in Rotherham (8 at Grade I) and 74 in Sheffield (2 at Grade I)

Trevor Mitchell, English Heritage Regional Director, said: “That 94% of places of worship are in fair condition is a huge testament to the hard work of their congregations. Many of these buildings are amongst the region’s greatest architectural treasures, serving diverse communities and faith groups. By undertaking this survey we have uncovered truly inspiring stories of how local people have turned neglected places of worship into dynamic centres of local life. But we are also aware that many other places of worship face very uncertain futures. The six percent we estimate to be at risk in Yorkshire and the Humber would translate into nearly 80 buildings. Ultimately, we will add the most vulnerable to our Heritage at Risk register, making it easier for congregations to get help from heritage organisations, local authorities and the community.”

The survey found that two-thirds of congregations questioned said that funding major repairs is a constant worry.

English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund have tackled this concern by allocating £5.5m over the past decade to 28 places of worship in South Yorkshire (8 in Barnsley, £1.3m; 13 in Sheffield, £1.9m; 6 in Doncaster, £1.37m; and 3 in Rotherham, £1m).

Without grant aid from English Heritage and the HLF under the Repair Grants for Places of Worship (RGPW) scheme, 76% of congregations questioned would not have been able to complete vital repair and maintenance project. Nationally, this means that over the last five years 1,190 of England’s most important places of worship would have become seriously at risk and 30% state that they would have closed – 17% indefinitely.

Further research into the impact of the £12 million a year Listed Places of Worship Scheme (LPWS) currently financed by the Treasury, giving grants equivalent to the VAT payable on repairs, also reveals that in 1 in 5 cases repairs would not have been carried out without the grant. Recipients of both schemes said grants helped them plan a more certain future, avoid costly repairs later on and helped them increase visitor numbers and broaden community use. The local economy also benefits as 60% of recipients said they used local businesses to undertake repairs.

Other top concerns expressed by congregations included:
• finding out what being listed means and getting permission to make changes
• getting funding to keep the building wind and watertight and to improve facilities and broaden community use
• legal responsibilities, Health and Safety, access and fire regulations
• opening up to visitors, and increasing the pool of volunteers willing to look after the building.

Simon Thurley, English Heritage Chief Executive, added: “The Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme will run until at least 2013, but we urge the Government to respond to the call from faith and heritage bodies to continue the LPWS scheme beyond March 2011. We are also urging the leaders of the different faith groups and Christian denominations to make the launch of Caring for Places of Worship the biggest ever co-ordinated offer of help to local congregations, reinforcing the good work already being done and supporting those that are struggling. And I encourage everyone who cares about their local church, chapel, synagogue or other place of worship to lend a hand. The key is to do small things really well. Clearing gutters could save the need for a whole new roof costing thousands of pounds. Get hold of one of our Caring for Places of Worship booklets and get going!”