Redundant Churches

Religious heritage buildings are under threat across Europe. Shrinking congregations, financial distress and lack of knowledge about conserving buildings and treasures held within them, all contribute to the impending loss of a substantial collection of testaments to European history and intangible heritage. Conservation of religious heritage can be an important tool to regenerate urban and rural areas for the future. One possibility is through extended use: the coexistence of community, cultural and worship uses of a building. Urban regeneration, economic growth and cultural development are all inter-related. Extended use can give an opportunity to link religious heritage, which carries meaning and identity also for non-faith communities, with the secular mind-set of our times. A benefit of extended use is a broader constituency of support for the building: bringing more people, resources and organisations to its aid.

The other possibility is transforming redundant churches into community tourism assets and looking at forging links with conservation and training of interested people. A survey conducted in April 2014 showed that 84% of Europeans thinks that churches and religious buildings are part of their cultural heritage 79% are in favour of conserving and protecting churches and that they are crucial for the communitys current and future life 87% believe that churches should be open to tourism when they contain architectural or artistic treasures. The study therefore intends to identify three redundant rural churches that have an interesting history or significant heritage value such as St Gredifaels church with its alabaster tomb and direct descendants of Henry the 8th of England and 1 church at threat of closing to look at options of future usage and to protect and conserve. The surrounding area including communities, amenities and attractions will also be considered whilst looking at any future activity within the church.