Our research
Research and consultations carried out by the National Churches Trust into the uses of church buildings and public perception of churches, chapels and meeting houses.
For further information please contact us at info@nationalchurchestrust.org. All data and information can be freely used but must be credited to the National Churches Trust and to any research organisations involved.
Attitudes to church buildings (2023-2024)
Our Savanta opinion poll on attitudes to church buildings surveyed 2,092 UK adults online between the 8th and 10th December 2023. Key findings included: 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. 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. More than half of UK adults (54%) visited a church in the past year. Over a quarter (28%) visited for a religious service including Sunday worship, weddings or funerals, one in five (22%) for a non-religious community activity or service such as a foodbank, playgroup, lunch club, concert or meeting, and one in six (17%) went to a church, chapel or meeting house as a visitor or tourist.
Churches and COVID19 - churches and the community (2020)
The importance of churches and chapels during the COVID19 lockdown and beyond is examined in an in-depth online survey 'State of the churches' of over 500 UK churches carried out by the National Churches Trust in May 2020. The survey details some of the help churches have provided to the community during the lockdown and shows that three quarters of churches (75%) agree that the closing of their building during COVID-19 lockdown had a negative effect on the community and almost two thirds (64%) think their buildings will become more important in the future as a result of COVID-19.
Churches and COVID19 - attitudes to reopening and future use (2020)
An opinion poll by Savanta ComRes for the National Churches Trust shows what the public think are the most important uses for churches and chapels after the COVID19 lockdown eases and shows that half (49%) of the UK's adults agree that churches and chapels should be allowed to open earlier than July 2020, as long as they can maintain social distancing. The poll also shows what the public think are the most important uses for churches and chapels after the coronavirus lockdown ends.
Number of churches in the UK (2019)
There are around 40,300 church buildings in the UK open to the public and being used for worship, according to research carried out for the National Churches Trust by The Brierley Consultancy. The number of church buildings is also substantially higher than other key public buildings in the UK. There are currently around 14,300 supermarkets operated by grocery retailers, 11,500 post office branches, 7,500 bank branches and 3,600 public libraries.
Why do people visit churches? (2018)
Research carried out for the National Churches Trust by ComRes to understand the reasons why the public visit churches, chapels or meeting houses and what would make them more likely to visit for tourism or leisure.
Which sort of historic buildings are the most important? (2017)
Research carried out for the National Churches Trust by ComRes on attitudes into historic buildings. Out of ten key types of historic buildings, adults in Britain are most likely to say that castles should be protected for future generations (34%), closely followed by cathedrals and churches (20%) and royal palaces (18%)
Supporting Places of Worship in Wales survey (2017)
The Supporting Places of Worship in Wales survey 2017 was organised by the National Churches Trust on behalf of the Welsh Places of Worship Forum Once the centre of Welsh society, many churches and chapels are still vital for community life. However, the job of looking after religious buildings is becoming harder as congregations decline. This survey examined some of the key issues facing those who look after places of worship in Wales.
Grants stakeholder consultation (2016)
A consultation examining the demand for financial support for church buildings across the UK. Responses were sought from grantee churches and amongst the wider church and heritage sector. The report shows what grantees and stakeholders think the Trust does well, and what could be done better. Feedback was also sought on where funding should be prioritised as a match-funder for the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
Perceptions of church buildings (2016)
Research carried out for the National Churches Trust by ComRes, designed to measure attitudes to church buildings, shows that 57% of British adults agree that the Government should provide financial support to churches in order to protect their heritage and history, Half of British adults (49%) say that churches, chapels and meeting houses should be used as community centres in addition to being used as places of worship. Just 7% of Britons say that churches, chapels and meeting houses should not have uses other than as a place of worship.
Perceptions of church buildings (2015)
Research carried out for the National Churches Trust by ComRes, designed to measure attitudes to church buildings, shows that four in five (79%) British people think that churches and chapels are an important part of the heritage and history. Three quarters of British people (74%) say that church buildings play an important role for society by providing a space for community activities, such as playgroups, cultural and social events and meetings. This view is held among British adults of all religions and none with more than three in five British adults of non-Christian religions (67%) and of no religion (64%).
Churches and polling stations (2015)
The National Churches Trust obtained lists of polling stations from election from every local authority responsible for administering elections in the UK (bar one) and analysed them to derive the figures of the number of polling stations in churches. Overall across the United Kingdom, our research estimated that in 2015, 5,967 of 31,855 polling places were church buildings, totalling 18.73%.
Churches and their impact on the community (2010)
The National Churches Trust Survey, undertaken in 2010, was the largest exercise of its kind. Open to all of the estimated 47,000 churches, chapels and meeting houses in the UK, the survey was unique in seeking to understand not just the physical condition of places of worship but also the way they are managed, funded and used by their communities.
