Latest news

The latest news about church heritage including how to save it, things to look out for and interesting places to visit. You'll also find stories from churches, chapels and meeting houses from across the UK sharing about the wonderful ways they are keeping their buildings open and in use.

A stone cross gravestone
Challoch All Saints Church

How to make the most of local history records in your church

Churches are often physical archives of local history, preserving the memory of significant figures and events through stained glass, memorial plaques, and of course gravestones. Challoch All Saints, a remote building in Dumfries and Galloway, is one such church. However, a radical graveyard clean-up project has helped the church to create accurate records and make new discoveries.

An old church pictured from above
Ludham St Catherine Church. Credit: Mike Page Aerial Photography

As repairs costs rise by up to 20%, 42 churches are awarded grants by the National Churches Trust

Changes by the Government have made repairs to any listed place of worship up to 20 per cent more expensive to carry out. Despite this devastating blow for churches, we are pleased to announce in our latest round of grants, we have helped 42 churches, chapels and cathedrals, so they can help keep their buildings open and serving the community.

A scene is shot inside a church
Lawrence OP CC-BY-NC-ND2.0

How to make the most of filming in your church

Starring as a filming location can be really exciting for your church. From the immediate income to the longer-term tourism draw, there are many advantages to be had. Any church could benefit from this but knowing where to start is hard. Find out how you can get involved and how to make the most of the opportunity from independent Film Location Management Consultant Henry Neild and Tricia Davis, from Bolton Percy All Saints parish church.

A grey church behind a graveyard
Denis Dunstone

Discover Scotland’s medieval churches through vivid watercolour

Historic Scottish Churches is the latest offering in Denis Dunstone’s series of superb books, which make use of charming watercolours to tell the stories of medieval churches. Featuring a foreword by National Churches Trust Vice President Lord Wallace of Tankerness, Historic Scottish Churches gives readers an illustrated insight into some of Scotland’s most significant medieval buildings.

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AcanthusClews

How to bounce back when disaster strikes at your church

Sometimes, through no fault of the congregation or leaders, disaster strikes at a church. It can be devastating for all who care for the building and in the wake of major setbacks, finding hope can be tough. But the right approach can help a church community to make a full recovery.

Kidderminster St George Church in Worcestershire
Laura Spiteri

Photography competition: your pictures of churches in the snow

The UK’s historic churches are beautiful additions to so many cities, towns and villages. Every year, the changing seasons paint them in new light, and winter is no exception. After freezing temperatures hit the UK in early January, we asked you to submit your best photos of churches in the snow, to help us celebrate these brilliant buildings. Here are the winners, who will each receive a bundle of books as their prize.

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Fiona Hunter

Church and heritage organisations urge UK Government to renew Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme

As organisations responsible for the church buildings belonging to the Catholic Church in England and Wales, the Church in Wales, the Church of England, the Church of Scotland, and as representatives of the Association of English Cathedrals, the Historic Religious Buildings Alliance and the National Churches Trust, we have grave concerns about the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme and call for its urgent renewal.

A photograph of the Houses of Parliament, taken from the River Thames

Westminster Hall debate secured for Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme

Bradley Thomas, the Conservative MP for Bromsgrove, has tabled a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday January 22. This is a crucial next step in raising awareness about the importance of the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme. The scheme – a lifeline for historic churches – is set to run out in March. Find out more about the Westminster Hall debate and how you can get involved.

Boraston Church pictured behind a field of grass
Philip Pankhurst

England’s church heritage ‘danger zones’ revealed

New data reveals England’s church heritage ‘danger zones’ and shows the number of churches at risk in MP’s constituencies. Find out how many churches, chapels, cathedrals and meeting houses are at risk in your constituency and what you can do to save them.