To think that the church of england should shut down half of their churches

[ReallyTired]

There aren't enough priests and many churches are in completely the wrong locations to support a congretation. A lot of quaint churches are expensive to maintain.

I feel that some really quaint churches in villages could be made into wedding venues rather than parish churches. I would like to see a situation where anyone can choose to get married at the really pretty church in the lake district with no working congretation.

Even in towns there are too many churches in a short distance. I feel that existing buildings could be used in more imaginative ways that would support the entire community.

the Church of England has a duty to upkeep and uphold the history of the church in england - it's not just about saying the right words to the right people, or even believing the right things, it's also about looking after the buildings and works that have been handed down to us from previous generations.

that's just how it works.
it's not just about believing in Jesus, or spreading the word of the gospel, it's about embracing tradition as well.

it's also not very christian behaviour to be mean to someone who is trying to help you with a bit of knowledge.

YY, this is how I feel, nickel.

I'm sorry if I come across as mean, and I know I come across as harsh, but I feel strongly this is awful. People didn't build those churches or put up gravestones so that we could come along and just get rid of it all for a pretty wedding venue.

There's a graveyard near where I grew up - just the graveyard, the church was moved more than two hundred years ago - and people still go and look after the stones, because it is a C of E heritage site and because those were somebody's families who were buried there. And that is the way it should be.

referring to churches as simply 'pretty' and 'quaint' suggests that you have no idea of the place these buildings have in the history of this country. How many have you actually looked around, in detail? If the C of E feels they can afford it then let them. Or they could always hand some back to the Catholics .

I knew there were restrictions on who could get married in a church, but does that also mean there are are similar restrictions on who can have funerals in church too? Is living in the area enough to be able to have a church funeral if you want it?

Yes, we can all have a cofe funeral in our parish if we (or more realistically our families) wish. It's a different ruling to weddings- I forget the exact wording if the rule.

(i was referring to the OP being mean, not you LRD)

I know, I'm just aware I was angry posting.

Iv seen the odd churches converted in a house or flats according to size and even one that has aassive climbing wall in it (activity venue),
They'r are nice to look at one the outside but can be anything you want a church building to be on the inside as far as it's structure will allow of course.

the marriage thing is because you're making a solemn and serious commitment, and you should know every aspect of it and believe it before you can make it before God.

Baptisms and funerals are different - you have no reason/right to deny a baby/small child entry into the Christian family, so there are no restrictions on who can be baptised, likewise a funeral, it's not on to deny a Christian burial because that person might have repented but not actually told anyone. So let God judge them at the last, not a person on earth.

First libraries, then children centres and now churches...

Thank you Lottie, that has reassured me!

Forget the religion, keep the churches! I believe in churchianity. The constant predictable rhythm of Christmas, Easter, rogation Sunday, the annual Barney over who is to organise the summer fete, whether Mrs Featherstone should be allowed to join the flower arranger Rota after last year's 'interesting' floral spectacular at Lucy Morris' wedding, what to do about the lead being stolen from the chancel roof again, what to do about Mr Parker who really does try the choirs patience with some of the more modern works ... it's quite comforting. I associate these and similar matters with the sight of the 17th century reredos and the William Morris window and the sound of the nunc dimmitis.

I firmly believe these buildings and their assorted flummery should be preserved for their own sake against the cruel assault of guitars, microphones and enthusiasm in church services. Long life genteel moderation and scones!!!!

Erm....amen?

RiverTam If the catholics need more buildings then it makes sense for them to take over disused/ under used C of E churches.

A church local to me shares its building with Catholics and baptists. The arrangment works well. The C of E congretation has its service at 9.00, the catholics have their serice at 11am and then the baptists use the building in the evening. All three groups of christians contribute to the cost of upkeep. The church is also part of a community centre so all the adjoining rooms are used through out the week. All three groups of christians are active with community work that help everyone. The building in question is far from pretty but very practical.

A lot of ancient churches lack toilets or disabled access. Our church has recently taken out some pews to enable people in wheelchairs to access the services. The effort to get planning permission to make a 14th century church wheelchair friendly was unbelievable.

ormirian

Prehaps the C of E should sell its empty churches to the Sunday Assembly.

I was going to say YABVVVU but your second post really struck a chord with me and, actually, I think there is a lot of sense in what you are saying. The church spends so much money on these building when so many people are in so much need. It does seem a bit unchristian when you think about it.

But I adore old churches. The Christian in me thinks that maybe you are right but the history and culture lover in me is screaming 'nooooo!'

I attend a charismatic church held in a conference centre in the nearest city to me. I wouldn't be happy in a traditional Anglican congregation. But at the same time I love my beautiful village church and would hate it if it closed down. I don't enjoy the style of service or worship (not that it should be about me, I do know that)! but I support them and attend special services and events. Maybe that makes me hypocritical and unchristian, I don't know.

sundayassembly.com/

I respect their honestly. They don't pretend to be anything other than a bunch of people who want to get together. I am sure they could make use of Britain's disused churches.

So OP, do you attend an evangelical church? Or is it a traditional one with organs and 1662 BCP?

Why is it horrible to convert a disused church in TESCO. i agree with the methodists that there are worse things in the work. I am bemused, but not horrified.

I am more horrified that a plane has recently disappeared over the china sea with the possible loss of life of everyone on board.

Ormirian - I love your post!

This debate has caused a first for me, my atheist archaeologist husband made a comment on a mumsnet debate (normally he steers well clear of this nest of vipers) - apparently the national trust have taken on a few disused churches, but wouldn't take on many more due to lack of an endowment to pay for maintenance.

There is a crisis of congregation size, funding, maintenance costs within the C of E. But "Quaint Rural Church Weddings Ltd" is not the answer.

Yes, really, no-one else is shocked by the plane crash. Take a prize for being such a fantastic human being.

But wait ...! How could you bring yourself to post when there are starving children in Africa?

ormirian the sense of community you describe is exactly what churches (and Christianity) should be like. Not little ghettos of extremists.

WooWooOwl

does that also mean there are are similar restrictions on who can have funerals in church too? Is living in the area enough to be able to have a church funeral if you want it?

No, I generally find that living in an area doesn't qualify you to have a funeral in that church, the main qualification is that you have to be dead

Oh dear, that's terrible but it made me smile.