10 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 31st ANNUAL EDITION WHERE SOME DOORS CLOSE OTHERS STAY OPEN Helen Richards Churches worry that opening their doors through the week will encourage crime and vandalism, but new research suggests the benefits of open doors far outweigh the risks. UNFORTUNATELY, MANY of the nation’s churches are locked for much or most of the time, even during daylight hours. According to new research from Ecclesiastical Insurance, a quarter of churches are only open for services or special events, while another quarter are only open during the day when staff or volunteers are available to man them. Hardly any (2%) are open and unlocked at all times which, while low, points to a small proportion of churches who are taking unnecessary risks as their insurance cover only applies to daytime opening. Many churches would like to be open more of the time, the research suggests. Four out of five (91%) church representatives who responded to the survey support the principle of keeping churches open, with only two per cent against. Keeping churches open as much as possible reinforces their place at the heart of communities but fears around crime, costs and staffing levels lead many to remain locked and bolted outside of Sunday mornings and special occasions. The research suggests that these fears may be exaggerated or misplaced and that for most churches the benefits of being open are likely to significantly outweigh the risks. A WELCOME FOR EVERYONE Open churches are living churches. They welcome people regardless of faith or their reasons for wanting to visit. Some will come to church to pray or light a candle, while others may want nothing more than a place for a peaceful rest on their walk home from the shops – a physical rather than spiritual rejuvenation. Given that the Church of England owns over 12,000 listed church buildings and the Roman Catholic church 600 or so more, it’s no surprise that tourists and historians are also regular visitors to churches. An open church encourages these visitors, who in turn experience a warm and all-embracing institution. Once inside, they may see evidence of the church’s historic role and also of its modern purpose at the heart of communities. They may feel inspired by the music, art and architecture they find there. Of course, some visitors may make a cash donation, tap a contactless payment point or scan a QR code to donate online, which is something not to be sniffed at when the backlog of repairs to Church of England buildings is estimated to amount to £1 billion. Daniel Sandham, the Vicar of St Paul’s in Winchmore Hill, London, took a sabbatical earlier this year and captured the essence of open churches during a walking tour of Norfolk on his website1. He sums up the appeal of open churches: ‘The open church is a church that is available to all parishioners: they do not have to profess a faith, or prove their identity, or pay an admission fee. There is a remarkable inclusivity about an open church. This is common ground, where everyone belongs.’ In the Ecclesiastical Insurance survey, over 78 per cent of respondents agreed that keeping the church open encourages the community to use it, 84 per cent that it encourages visitors and 85 per cent that it helps the church deliver its mission to more people. A third (33%) said it encouraged donations, and just over a quarter (27%) said it helped to attract volunteers. A locked church can have the opposite effect, reinforcing the idea that church is for true believers and nobody else. In an increasingly secular world, the idea that churches are for Sundays or special religious occasions – often referred to as ‘festival churches’ – could impact the traditional ties between the parish church and the village or neighbourhood it serves. 1 https://walkingnorfolkschu.wixsite.com Visitors to St Andrew’s, Winterborne Tomson in Dorset find the door open and the interior welcoming. What use is a church with a locked door to those who want to pray or enjoy a moment of quiet contemplation? (Photo: Jonathan Taylor)
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