The National Churches Survey: giving every church a voice

“We know how important church buildings are – as community hubs and heritage sites and of course as sacred spaces where people meet, pray and connect with God. The National Churches Survey is a chance to give a voice to the volunteers and staff who care for these places with passion and faith. By taking part, churches can help build a picture of the challenges they face and the massive role their buildings play in the spiritual and everyday lives of people across the UK. We urge all churches to get involved.”

“See, Judge, Act is a central tenet of Catholic social teaching. Yet, to ‘see’ things clearly requires a comprehensive evidence base. By participating in this survey, Catholic churches across England & Wales will be better placed to meet the needs of their parishioners and to be of service to the wider community.” - Richard Harries, Trustee, Caritas Social Action Network

"Church buildings are vital to our communities, yet their true value often goes unnoticed. The National Churches Survey shines a spotlight on their importance and the fantastic role that volunteers play. Don't miss the chance to make a difference and help churches by filling in the survey." - Greg Pickup, Chief Executive of CCT

"We all know just how important church buildings are, all they mean to our communities and their contribution to place and the local economy. This survey will help equip us with the data we need to show policy makers and financial decision takers why churches matter and how much they mean to so many people and places in the UK. Churches give so much while being responsible for so much, so please complete the survey and help the National Churches Trust and its partners to tell the story of our churches in this generation." - Emily Gee, Director for Church and Cathedral Buildings, Church of England.

“In our ecumenical conversations about mission and ministry in today’s society, the challenges and opportunities associated with the ownership of buildings are a recurring theme. This research offers a timely opportunity to provide an up-to-date evidence base for those conversations, supporting us as we seek to make the best possible use of our collective resources in living out our Christian values, sharing our faith and loving our neighbour.”

“This survey is timely and important. Local churches in Wales face significant challenges in caring for vitally important community buildings and this survey will help to highlight the scale and nature of those challenges, but also help point the way to sustainable solutions. The survey results will provide evidence when seeking new partners and support for this vital work. I would urge local churches across Wales to undertake the survey – the results will cover both Wales and the wider UK.”

“Church buildings provide an essential place of worship and gathering for members of a parish and for the community which they serve. Over previous decades the challenges of maintaining churches to an appropriate standard has been considerable. Our hope is that the Survey will provide an important opportunity for parishes to inform the National Churches Trust about the use, community involvement and upkeep of places of worship across Northern Ireland. We would encourage parishes to participate and provide their feedback.”

"We see every day how vital church buildings are in serving their local communities — offering not just spiritual support, but practical help and a place of connection. This important survey from the National Churches Trust will shine a light on the challenges and opportunities churches face across the UK. We strongly encourage churches of all traditions and denominations to take part, so together we can build a clearer picture and ensure that these much-loved spaces are supported for the future.”

"At Ecclesiastical Insurance, we believe churches are at the heart of their communities, supportive hubs as well as places of worship. This survey is a valuable opportunity to better understand the condition of church buildings, the pressures they face, and the essential roles they play. It gives churches a voice and helps ensure their needs are heard and understood, so we can work together to protect their future. We support the National Churches Trust survey because it aligns with our long-standing commitment to safeguarding church buildings and the communities they serve."

“The results of this survey will be really helpful. We encourage as many people as possible to respond and engage with the process.”

“This is an excellent opportunity to gather valuable information on how church buildings across England and Wales are used to support their communities. Church buildings were highlighted as important assets in the Free Churches Commission on the Church and Social Cohesion. This study will bring national attention to the current status of church buildings, how they are maintained, funded, and the vital support they provide to local communities.”

“This initiative by the National Churches Trust is greatly welcomed by the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. The insights it will give will help shape the future of our buildings and our work within the community, helping us better understand the current state of our building’s portfolio and the wider value of our engagement with the local community. The opportunity for a national stocktake and the foundations for coherent requests for wider support it will bring, are highly commendable, and we look forward to working with the National Churches Trust.”

“We know that places of worship are often at the heart of communities across the country, both urban and rural, ranging from small chapels and churches to substantial cathedrals. With the challenges currently facing our places of worship, it is vital to learn more about how communities value these buildings and how organisations like HES and National Churches Trust can best support their use and re-use. We would encourage all Scottish churches to fill out the survey conducted by the National Churches Trust.” James Bruhn, Head of World Heritage and Heritage Policy at Historic Environment Scotland.

“Every church's story is crucial to the bigger picture. I particularly encourage Roman Catholic churches in Northern Ireland to voice the challenges that they are facing and inform better-targeted support. Your response empowers stakeholders including policymakers and funders to help churches, like yours, thrive for generations to come. Please take a few minutes to fill out National Churches Trust’s survey and be part of this vital collective effort."

“The 2025 National Survey... will make known the extraordinary work carried out every day by parish churches in creating, resourcing and sustaining healthy communities across the country. Few people are aware of the enormous impact parish churches have, nor of how much it costs to sustain their work on behalf of the people they serve - and have served for centuries.” - The Revd Canon Dr Stephen Evans, Rector of St Marylebone and Area Convener for London, Major Churches Network

“We’re pleased to see this survey taking place. Every year, churches across Northern Ireland face growing challenges in looking after their buildings — places that are much more than worship spaces; they also contribute to the heart of community life. This survey is an important step in understanding these collective challenges and assisting in exploring creative, practical solutions as we plan and invest in the future.”

"The value of this survey is that it will give a good indication of religious diversity in the UK. Churches differ not only in the ways in which they are governed and the way in which they worship, but also in the way in they conceived and occupy sacred spaces. Some of these differences are not only between denominations but also within them."

“Within the presbyterian Church in Ireland, we are conscious of the challenges faced by Christian communities in today’s world. We recognise that our congregations and the associated buildings are at the heart of many communities, in both urban and rural settings. As such our buildings provide more than places of worship, but they are also vital centres for social outreach. We are hopeful that this survey and its findings will provide useful information as we seek to maintain our building stock in the furtherance of God’s glory.”

“We are fully supportive of the Survey and consider it essential to fully understand the current situation with Places of Worship and to plan for their future.”

“The United Reformed Church welcomes the survey by the National Churches Trust, which will look at the future of the vital community spaces that all churches provide. This is a chance to share experiences and to highlight the essential role churches play in supporting local communities, activities and groups. Churches have always been more than just places of worship, with millions of people using churches each and every week – lifelines for many communities.”

“Victorian and Edwardian churches are among the most architecturally and historically significant buildings in the UK. The National Churches Trust’s 2025 Survey is a vital step in understanding the pressures these irreplaceable places face — and in ensuring they can continue to serve their communities, inspire future generations, and be properly protected for the future.”

“This is such a critical moment for churches across the UK and Yeomans are delighted to support the National Churches Survey in giving churches a voice, promoting an understanding of their physical footprint and helping measure their role in communities across the country.”