Save Churches from Crumbling – Give Them to the Locals
Historic England Faces VAT Repayment Issue
Historic England is close to withdrawing its agreement to repay VAT on church repairs. The Church of England is unable to bear this financial burden.
Challenge for the New Archbishop of Canterbury
The new Archbishop should focus on the urgent issue of England's parish churches. Between 3,000 and 5,000 churches lie empty, unused, and deteriorating.
Churches as Cultural and Civic Heritage
Churches represent nearly half of all Grade I listed buildings in England, forming a crucial part of the nation’s architectural and cultural heritage. They serve as civic inheritance, local memory, and places of rest.
Conservation Crisis and Centralisation Issues
Churches suffer from the effects of Britain's intense centralisation, leading to neglect and decay.
Proposed Solution: Localising Church Ownership
A practical solution, common across Europe, is the “denationalisation” of local churches. Anglican churches should be transferred from diocesan authorities to parish or town councils, with shared usage arrangements.
Local churches should be transferred, properly protected, and placed into the care of their parishes.
This approach would safeguard churches by returning them to local communities.
Source
The Times, Monday November 03, 2025
Historic England is on the brink of withdrawing its deal to repay VAT on church repairs — the Church of England cannot pick up the burden.
Author's Summary
Returning churches to local communities offers a viable path to preserving England’s historic religious buildings and reviving their civic significance.