The buildings are beautiful,but too many remain empty. They will regain their focus only whether they convert to a communal roleEngland’s biggest, most plentiful, or most beautiful buildings are its churches. They are also its emptiest. There are some 16000 churches in total,and every now and then their owner and janitor, the Church of England, and utters a howl of pain. This month a church report points out that more than a quarter of churches have fewer than 20 worshippers on a Sunday – fewer than 10 in rural areas. succor,it cries, opening its intellect (at last) to a future for local churches as everything from farmers’ markets to digital hubs, and even to naves as champing” sites.
Every few years the church gets itself into a mess over how to use its churches. Like millions of people,I don’t go to church, but I accomplish go to churches – 85% of the public visits a church every year. We regard them as the community’s ritual forum, or its museum,its art gallery, its concert corridor, or its occasional retreat for peace,consolation and meditation. Many in the church view us as freeloaders (though I always leave money) and cannot see why they should give us such delight when their proper trade is prayer, not heritage custody.
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Source: theguardian.com