I'm not a one to go signing petitions willy-nilly but this one was forwarded to me from a couple of different directions and I agree with it.
Costs of repairs to ancient and heritage-rich church buildings are largely born by the congregation who happen to meet there by an accident of geography. Often funds which could be better spent on mission are then used on maintenance. Congregations which could leave their church building to fall into disrepair whilst meeting somewhere else usually choose not to. Which is good of them.
It is unlikely that the government will agree to take responsibility off us for such costs but there is an on-line petition saying:
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to arrange for the cost of repairs to C of E church buildings to be reimbursed to help preserve our archeological & historic heritage for the future.
at:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Preservation
which I'd encourage you to explore and consider signing.
As they say, 'Churches are a valuable part of our heritage and a major tourist attraction, yet the funding of repairs is left to the parish in which the building is situated. Thus the cost of maintaining a national asset is left to the minority. This is grossly unfair and should be rectified.'
1 comment:
I don't actually think I agree with this petition - at least not wholesale. For example, St. Paul's in Leamington is not a tourist attraction, and some of the community activities may be paying to hire the hall. I also don't think we should be giving to the community with one hand, and then stealthy taking back from them in the form of general taxation. It would appear that at least some at St. Paul's agree with you though, as there was a 20s and 30s email posted on this topic
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