Attitudes to church buildings

Our opinion poll, run by Savanta, surveyed 2,092 UK adults online between the 8 and 10 December 2023 to ask about their attitudes to church buildings. The poll's key findings demonstrate widespread public support for church buildings.

Read the summary findings

One of the key findings was that more than two thirds of UK adults (68%) agree that the UK’s churches, chapels and meeting houses are an important part of the UK’s heritage and history. Similarly, a large majority (66%) agree that churches, chapels and meeting houses are important for society as they provide a space for activities and support for local people, such as foodbanks and warm spaces.

Summary findings of the opinion poll

1. Over two thirds of UK adults (68%) agree that the UK’s churches, chapels and meeting houses are an important part of the UK’s heritage and history.
2. A large majority (66%) of UK adults agree that churches, chapels and meeting houses are important for society as they provide a space for activities and support for local people, such as foodbanks and warm spaces. 
3. More than half of UK adults (54%) visited a church in the past year. 
4. Over a quarter (28%) of UK adults visited a church, chapel or meeting house for a religious service including Sunday worship, weddings or funerals. 
5. One in five UK (22%) UK adults visited a church, chapel or meeting house for a non-religious community activity or service such as a foodbank, playgroup, lunch club, concert or meeting. 
6. One in six (17%) went to a church, chapel or meeting house as a visitor or tourist.