Places of Worship at Risk
Places of worship are heritage in the widest sense. They provide spaces for worship as well as social and community events, allowing people to gather for a wide range of practical and spiritual reasons. Most also provide a haven for individuals needing a quiet, safe and peaceful place to take a break from daily worries, isolation and anxiety, irrespective of their own beliefs.
They continue to accommodate celebration and grief, shared and private experiences, art, music and sculpture, toddler groups, political hustings, wellbeing groups and addiction support sessions. These are significant spaces in which human experience has been, and continues to be, both welcome and supported.
We support the people who look after places of worship so they can keep them open as places of well-being for people of all faiths and none.
The Register covers Grade I, Grade II*, and Grade II listed places of worship across England.
The threats to places of worship
We work closely with groups of all faiths and denominations to monitor the condition of listed places of worship.
Entries on the Heritage at Risk Register include buildings which are generally in fair or good condition, but with a significant problem with one major element, such as the tower.
The main threats are failing:
- Roofs
- Rainwater goods
- High-level stonework
Carrying out simple, regular maintenance is essential to prevent these buildings declining into a poor or very bad condition.
Church of St Wilfrid in Standish, Wigan
The Church of St Wilfrid was placed on the heritage at risk register in 2025 due to a death watch beetle infestation.
This Grade I listed building is a rare example of late 16th-century ecclesiastical architecture and notable for its early use of Tuscan columns, considered the first of their kind in England. Its richly carved interiors include moulded roof beams, armorial tie beams, a 17th-century communion rail, and a 1616 pulpit.
The infestation endangers these timber features, and conservation work is needed to protect this important Elizabethan church.
Support for places of worship
The responsibility for the care of nearly 15,000 listed historic places of worship relies entirely on the efforts of local faith groups and communities.
Research published by Historic England in 2025 included an opinion poll which showed that only 11% of the population appreciate that the responsibility is on local people, not national church bodies, local councils or heritage organisations such as English Heritage.
Where a place of worship is 'at risk', Historic England offers support to tackle this through its regional teams.
We also offer grants to denominational and faith bodies to enable them to employ Support Officers to work with individual congregations. Since 2008, over 40 such posts have been created throughout England, and we welcome the Church of England’s introduction of additional Church Building Support Officers and the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s grant to enable the National Churches Trust to create a role in the North West, alongside others in Wales and Scotland.
Funding repairs and maintenance is a constant struggle for communities. The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s September 2024 announcement of a 3-year strategic initiative, to provide funding of £15 million is very encouraging. This is in addition to the £85 million, delivered through the Heritage Grants Programme. Any place of worship in the UK, of any religion or denomination, may apply for help to meet the challenges they face.
Church of St Mark at Friday Bridge, Cambridgeshire
The Victorian Church of St Mark was added to the Heritage at Risk Register in 2025 due to serious structural issues with its leaning spire, which was part of the original 1864 design by architect JB Owen. The spire's thin brickwork is deteriorating, causing leaks and drainage problems.
As a key village landmark, the church’s Parochial Church Council is launching a community consultation and plans to involve local groups to support restoration efforts and the church’s future.
Historic England's guidance on new works, new uses and climate change action
Historic England supports congregations and faith groups using historic buildings, whether they were built as places of worship or have been converted for that purpose.
We offer advice on sensitively adapting spaces and installing new facilities so that places of worship can be used for a wide range of purposes alongside worship and community activities. We are planning to publish updated online guidance in 2026.
The global impact of climate change is a challenge. Many congregations are working to reduce their carbon consumption and make their buildings more resilient to stronger winds, drought, and heavier rainfall. We also provide technical guidance on how to decide what is appropriate for a particular building and how to achieve it.
We have already published guidance on the Theft of Metal from Church Roofs: Prevention and Response, on the Theft of Metal from Church Roofs: Replacement Materials, and on Church Roof Replacement Using Terne-coated Steel.
Also of interest
