DOCSLIB.ORG

Options for the Disposal of Redundant Churches and Other Places of Worship

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Options for the Disposal of Redundant Churches and Other Places of Worship Options for the disposal of redundant churches and other places of worship JANUARY 2010 1 Introduction This guidance note sets out options that are open to trustees wishing to dispose of places of worship that are no longer needed for regular worship. Broadly speaking, and depending on the circumstances, trustees and members of religious charities may wish to: transfer the building to another similar charity that will continue to use it for worship; sell the building and use the proceeds for charitable purposes, or transfer the building to a trust to be preserved and/or used for the benefit of the local community If the building has any special architectural or historic interest, such interest might be best preserved by arranging for the building to continue in use for religious purposes or be used for the benefit of the community. The purpose of the guidance is not to recommend any one course of action, but to make it clear that trustees who wish to dispose of a place of worship are not always obliged to dispose of the property at full market value. The most appropriate option in any particular case will depend on, amongst other things, the exact legal form by which the charity is established, the terms of its governing document and the different laws and regulations that apply to the entity which owns the building. While the guidance describes the most common options in general terms, this is not an exhaustive list, nor should it be relied upon for a full description of legal matters affecting any disposal. Further guidance should always be sought from the Charity Commission and from a trust’s own legal advisers. N.B. none of the following advice applies to Church of England buildings which are subject to the Pastoral Measure 1983. (More information on disposal of those buildings can be obtained from the relevant diocese or from the Closed Churches Division of the Church Commissioners (see page 8 for contact details). 2 What are the options? CASE STUDY In disposing of property held in trust, the Woodbridge Quay Church, Woodbridge, trustees of a charity must act in the best Suffolk interests of the trust and its beneficiaries as required by charity law and, in particular, in accordance with Section 36 of the Charities Act 1993. Where a new owner proposes alterations to a building, trustees of the disposing charity are advised not to confirm any contract for sale until they are satisfied that the new owner has, or is likely to obtain, listed building consent (if applicable) and planning permission for any alterations or change of use. The United Reformed (URC) congregation of In some cases the transfer of property will th require the approval of the Charity Commission, this grade II listed, early 19 century chapel had which will take account of all the relevant shrunk to the point where it was no longer circumstances surrounding the disposal of the possible for it to keep going as an active property in making its decision. worshipping body (and maintain a grade II listed building). Fortunately a Baptist congregation was also using the building and was in a position to take on ownership. The close links OPTION 1. A gift (or disposal at below between the congregations made this the market value) of a place of worship to preferred option for the URC trustees. another charity, permitted by the disposing charity’s governing documents A surveyor was instructed to give a valuation on the property if sold as a church to another A charity can gift its property to another charity Christian denomination and taking into account for free, or at less than market value, if the the urgent building repair work needed. The disposal is permitted by the disposing charity’s fact that the remaining members of the old governing document (section 36(9)(b) of the congregation were to join the new one satisfied Charities Act 1993). If this is the case, Charity the Charity Commission that the sale, although Commission consent for the disposal will not be not at full market value, was in the best required. interests of the disposing charity and in Spring 2009 the sale went ahead. There are two ways in which this disposal of property may be permitted: (i) where the Nevertheless the Commission required a disposal is furthering the purposes of the clawback arrangement so that if the building disposing charity and is, therefore, in execution was sold on for development within a specified of its governing document; or (ii) where the period the URC trust would benefit from any disposing charity has power conferred by its increase in value. The result has been to keep governing document to dispose of land to alive a place of worship with a long history another charity. while also allowing the trustees of the disposing charity to fulfil their obligations. A charity with objects of furthering the Christian faith, for example, might be able to use this option to pass their building onto another – but the objects of the donating charity are Christian charity with similar doctrines, provided included within them – the disposal may still be the objects of the receiving charity are not wider possible but the trusts relating to the disposed than those of the donating charity. Where the property may need to be restricted to the objects of the receiving charity are wider original, narrower objects. 3 If the donating charity had wider objects than solely the promotion of a particular faith, for CASE STUDY example the relief of those in need or the Chapel of St John the Baptist, Matlock Bath, wellbeing of a particular community, it might be Derbyshire able to transfer the building for a range of community uses. If the charity is constituted by separate documents, it is the document that sets out the purpose for which the property may be used that should be consulted when considering a gift of the place of worship, rather than, for example, the document that sets out the purpose for which the congregation’s working funds are held. OPTION 2. Disposal of a place of worship at full market value In 2002, the Friends of Friendless Churches Trustees may decide to realise the value of a acquired this isolated, grade II* listed private property on the best possible financial terms, chapel high above the River Derwent outside particularly if a redundant place of worship has a Matlock in Derbyshire. Built in 1897 to the significant market value, and apply the proceeds designs of architect Sir Guy Dawber it contains to furtherance of the charity’s objects. many fine Arts and Crafts fittings by artists Alternatively it may be that a charity wishes to including Louis Davis and George Bankart. It had dispose of a place of worship to an organisation been owned by a trust set up by the founder which is also a charity but which has objects Mrs Louisa Sophia Harris to care for the chapel which are not sufficiently similar to its own to after her death. By the late 1990s the trust’s justify any reduction in the disposal price. funding from endowments had all but dried up and so it was finding it difficult to discharge its There are two initial tests in relation to this responsibilities. option: The Charity Commission was persuaded to Does the charity have the power and allow transfer to the Friends of Friendless authority to sell the property? Churches in 2000 on the basis of its prescribed Does the charity have the power and charity (or ‘named beneficiary’) status. The authority for receiving and deploying the transfer was made without charge and the small proceeds of sale? amount of money left in the trust was also passed to the Friends. They have undertaken a Assuming these tests are met, in order to programme of repairs, including the gates into dispose of property at full market value, the the churchyard. charity will then need to comply with the requirements of sections 36 and 37 of the Charities Act 1993. This includes: Guidance can be found in the Charity Commission’s publication CC28 – Sales, leases, Seeking professional advice (from a transfers or mortgages: What trustees need to qualified surveyor) on the timing and know about disposing of charity land which is method of the disposal available on the Charity Commission’s website. If Ensuring that the property is marketed in trustees are able to comply with the statutory a way which will encourage the most requirements in relation to the type of disposal offers they are carrying out (contained in sections 36 Accepting the best financial offer which is and 37 of the Charities Act 1993) before made, except where there are other entering into an agreement for disposal they will special factors not need to obtain the Commission’s consent. 4 OPTION 3. CASE STUDY Transfer of the place of worship using the St George’s German Lutheran Church, power given to the Charity Commission by Whitechapel, London the Redundant Churches and other Religious Buildings Act 1969 The Redundant Churches and other Religious Buildings Act 1969 (the “1969 Act”) allows a charity to transfer a redundant place of worship to a ”prescribed charity” (see page 6) for the purposes of preservation, at less than full market value, even if the disposal does not further the disposing charity’s objects. A transfer under section 4(2) of the 1969 Act needs to be authorised by means of a scheme made and approved by the Charity Commission. Trustees should note that this would change the purpose of the building from advancing religion to preservation and conservation.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Newsletter 66 September 2017
    THE CHAPELS SOCIETY Newsletter 66 September 2017 The modest Gothic exterior of Scholes Friends Meeting House [photograph copyright Roger Holden] I S S N 1357–3276 ADDRESS BOOK The Chapels Society: registered charity number 1014207 Website: http://www.chapelssociety.org.uk President: Tim Grass, 1 Thornhill Close, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 3LA; e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 01624 819619 (also enquiries about visits) Secretary: Moira Ackers, 1 Valley Road, Loughborough, Leics LE11 3PX; e-mail: [email protected] (for general correspondence and website) Treasurer: Jean West, 172 Plaw Hatch Close, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 5BJ Visits Secretary: position continues in abeyance Membership Secretary: Paul Gardner, 1 Sunderland Close, Borstal, Rochester ME1 3AS; e-mail: [email protected] Casework Officer: Michael Atkinson, 47 Kitchener Terrace, North Shields NE30 2HH; e-mail: [email protected] Editor: Chris Skidmore, 46 Princes Drive, Skipton BD23 1HL; e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 01756 790056 (correspondence re the Newsletter and other Society publications). Copy for the next (January 2018) Newsletter needs to reach the Editor by 30 November 2017, please. NOTICEBOARD CHAPELS SOCIETY EVENTS 30 September 2017 Conference (jointly with the Ecclesiological Society) on the architecture of less-well-studied denominations at the St Alban centre, London. 28 October 2017 Bristol visit (David Dawson & Stephen Duckworth) EDITORIAL This Newsletter will go out with details of our visit to Bristol and Kingswood, including to the refurbished New Room, in October. Our visits programme for next year is not yet finalised but we expect to have visits to Birmingham, probably concentrating on Bournville, in the spring and to West Sussex in the autumn.
    [Show full text]
  • Historic Chapels Trust- Growing, Engaging, and Sustaining Wellbeing- Digital Project
    Historic Chapels Trust- Growing, Engaging, and Sustaining Wellbeing- Digital Project CONTENTS Consultant’s Appointment Brief- November 2020 ................................................................................................. 2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 The Historic Chapels Trust- background Information ............................................................................................. 3 Background to the Digital Project ........................................................................................................................... 3 Vision and Long-term Outcomes ............................................................................................................................ 4 Key Deliverables, Aims and Objectives of the Project ............................................................................................ 5 Evaluation of Deliverables ...................................................................................................................................... 7 Contract Management ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Project Timeline and payment schedule ................................................................................................................ 8 Award Criteria ........................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Methodist and Nonconformist Chapels in Cornwall Guidance and Assessment Framework Summary
    Methodist and Nonconformist Chapels in Cornwall Guidance and Assessment Framework Summary Historic England, in collaboration with Cornwall Council and the Methodist Church, has produced guidance to help congregations, new owners and professional advisors make informed decisions about how to adapt and make changes to nonconformist chapels. The Assessment Framework provides a stepped approach to establish what is special about chapels and their associated buildings, as well as the contributions made by their surroundings to the experience of place. This is in order to understand the significance, the contribution made by its setting and the historic character of each chapel. Understanding these factors early in the process will help to determine what capacity there is for change and indicate the nature of change that will be least harmful. Real examples of different types of works undertaken in nonconformist places of worship is provided within this guidance to show that even where change has occurred, the buildings can continue to contribute positively to what makes them special. The document is aimed at: congregations that are looking to use their buildings differently; new owners in cases where worship has ceased, who are considering alternative uses; professional advisors who are helping to inform congregations or new owners on the approach to change. The focus of the guidance is on Cornwall which has a rich Methodist history but is experiencing a growing trend of chapel closures. This is placing an increased pressure on the buildings and their fabric to accommodate new roles and uses. Although, the emphasis of the Assessment Framework is on Cornwall, the same format can be applied to all nonconformist places of Front cover: worship throughout the country.
    [Show full text]
  • Nonconformist Places of Worship Introductions to Heritage Assets Summary
    Nonconformist Places of Worship Introductions to Heritage Assets Summary Historic England’s Introductions to Heritage Assets (IHAs) are accessible, authoritative, illustrated summaries of what we know about specific types of archaeological site, building, landscape or marine asset. Typically they deal with subjects which lack such a summary. This can either be where the literature is dauntingly voluminous, or alternatively where little has been written. Most often it is the latter, and many IHAs bring understanding of site or building types which are neglected or little understood. Many of these are what might be thought of as ‘new heritage’, that is they date from after the Second World War. ‘Nonconformist’ has long been used as a description of Protestant Christians in England and Wales who were not part of the Church of England. Among the numerous denominations are the Baptists, Methodists, Quakers and the Salvation Army. By the mid-nineteenth century their chapels and meeting houses, the subject of this brief introduction, outnumbered the buildings of the Church of England’s. While many chapels are now disused or have seen conversion, they remain characteristic and often notable buildings in settlements in all parts of the country. This guidance note has been written by Christopher Wakeling and edited by Paul Stamper. It is one is of several guidance documents that can be accessed at HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/selection-criteria/listing-selection/ihas-buildings/ Published by Historic England August 2016. All images © Historic England unless otherwise stated. HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/selection-criteria/ Front cover The large granite Wesleyan chapel of 1843 at Ponsanooth (Cornwall) dominates this former industrial village, known for its gunpowder mills.
    [Show full text]
  • Protecting and Preserving Our Heritage
    House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee Protecting and preserving our heritage Volume II Written evidence Ordered by The House of Commons to be printed 14 March 2006 HC 912-II Published on 19 April 2006 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited £26.00 The Culture, Media and Sport Committee The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its associated public bodies. Current membership Mr John Whittingdale MP (Conservative, Maldon and East Chelmsford) [Chairman] Janet Anderson MP (Labour, Rossendale and Darwen) Mr Philip Davies MP (Conservative, Shipley) Mr Nigel Evans MP (Conservative, Ribble Valley) Paul Farrelly MP (Labour, Newcastle-under-Lyme) Mr Mike Hall MP (Labour, Weaver Vale) Alan Keen MP (Labour, Feltham and Heston) Rosemary McKenna MP (Labour, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East) Adam Price MP (Plaid Cymru, Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) Mr Adrian Sanders MP (Liberal Democrat, Torbay) Helen Southworth MP (Labour, Warrington South) The following member was also a member of the committee during the parliament. Tim Yeo MP (Conservative, South Suffolk) Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk. Publications The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including press notices) are on the Internet at http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/culture__media_and_sport.
    [Show full text]
  • Cadw Seminar on Redundant Chapels
    Capel CYMDEITHAS TREFTADAETH Y CAPELI THE CHAPELS HERITAGE SOCIETY CYLCHLYTHYR / NEWSLETTER 25 GWANWYN / SPRING 1995 CADW SEMINAR ON REDUNDANT CHAPELS On 29 November 1994, a one day seminar was held at the Norwegian Church Centre, Cardiff, organised on behalf of Cadw by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and attended by about forty people, including representatives of Capel, various statutory and voluntary bodies interested in heritage questions, religious denominations and local authorities. The objective of the conference was 'to look at the impact of redundancy on the best... of Wales' chapels and to explore the need to identify a mechanism in the voluntary sector which would care for the best of our historic chapels when no other use can be found for them'. In 1993 the Welsh Affairs Committee in its report The preservation of historic buildings and ancient monuments in Wales recommended the establishment of a fund to care for redundant chapels in Wales. In its response , the Welsh Office confirmed its commitment to providing a mechanism to care for the best redundant religious buildings for which no other arrangement could be made and undertook to meet 70% of the cost of caring for redundant chapels of outstanding historic or architectural interest. The response envisaged that the mechanism would be in the voluntary sector and engage in its own fund-raising, probably as a charitable trust,.on the lines of the Historic Chapels Trust established recently in England. Given its independent nature, it would be inappropriate for the Welsh Office to establish the mechanism directly. It was hoped to identify people in the voluntary sector with interest and appropriate skills who might be prepared to join together to take on the responsibilities of running such a fund.
    [Show full text]
  • The Chapels Society
    The Chapels Society PRESIDENT: Dr Tim Grass HON SECRETARY: Mrs Moira Ackers EMAIL: [email protected] Newsletter Index No 1 was edited by Richard Morris Nos 2-10 were edited by Christopher Stell Nos 11-30 were edited by Joy Rowe Nos 31-36 were edited by Amanda Arrowsmith Nos 37 onwards were edited by Chris Skidmore From issue No 12 onwards the ISSN 1357-3276 appears on each issue Newsletter 1, January 1989 The Chapels Society, by Christopher Stell The Chapels Society: how it happened, by Richard Morris Our hopes for the Chapels Society, by Kenneth Street Chapels in Wales What’s in a name? Chapel birth certificates, by Albert Cumberland Success story: the chapel at Newbiggin-in-Teesdale Newsletter 2, December 1989 The Holly and the Ivy President’s Notes, by H Godwin Arnold Letter to the Editor Book reviews: Sussex churches and chapels, by David Beevers, Richard Marks, and John Roles; The religious census of Sussex 1851, ed Dr John A Vickers Funeral of William Huntington SS (Lewes, July 12 1813), by John Brick Hidden Gems: RC Chapel, St Charles Borromeo, Weybridge, Surrey; Sandys Row Synagogue, Tower Hamlets Newsletter 3, December 1990 Treasure upon earth The old old story Report on the two day meetings in March (24th, at Cheltenham) and July (7th, at Oxford) 1990, by H Godwin Arnold Lake District weekend, 28-30th September 1990, report by David Butler Book reviews: At Satan’s throne: the story of Methodism in Bath over 250 years, ed Bruce Crofts, reviewed by Leslie E Gage; A charge to keep? A Methodist response to listed buildings
    [Show full text]
  • Securing a Future for Historic Places of Worship
    Inspired! Securing a future for historic places of worship English Heritage 1Waterhouse Square 138-142 Holborn London EC1N 2ST Design Atelier Works Photography Boris Baggs unless specified Print Route Product code 51220 For Now A new commission for the Inspired! campaign In the mind’s eye,in the memory-store,for now The church sets sail but stays where it was built, Its anchor hooked into the parish-heart. In the green yard,in the deep grass,for now Each summer-tide swells up and leaves the dead Untouched inside their plots of tilted earth. In the flint nave,in the window-shafts,for now The glassy saints grow limber with the sun That ripples through their robes and walk again. In the blind vault,in the dry hush,for now The coffins hoard their argosies of dust And darkness gleams as definite as light. In the slow years,in the centuries,for now The villagers arrive to load the ark That saves their lives and settles here as home. Campaign sponsor Andrew Motion Poet Laureate Protecting heritage has been our business since we were founded and it continues to be our inspiration.Those responsible for looking after our heritage need more than just an insurance policy. They need advice,guidance and expert knowledge.We're here to give just that. So we're also enthusiastic about supporting Inspired! and hope Right A Sunday service at temporary tarpaulin ceiling. that it rallies even more much- St Bartholomew’s,Churchdown, needed support. Gloucestershire,under a Contents Introduction 3 Introduction 3 In the 2006 Budget the Government showed it cared about our historic places of worship.Congregations are still celebrating the decision to extend further the Key facts 4 scheme which returns VAT on repairs to these buildings.We still seek a What is the problem? 6 permanent solution to the VAT issue but it’s good to know the politicians care.
    [Show full text]
  • Newsletter 55 January 2014
    THE CHAPELS SOCIETY Newsletter 55 January 2014 The Friends Meeting House at Long Sutton, Somerset, seen from the rear, sitting within its burial ground (photograph copyright Ian Serjeant) ISSN 1357–3276 ADDRESS BOOK The Chapels Society: registered charity number 1014207 Website: http://www.chapelssociety.org.uk President: Tim Grass, 1 Thornhill Close, Ramsey, Isle of Man, IM8 3LA; e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 01624 819619 (also enquiries about visits) Secretary: Sara Crofts, 47 Salisbury Drive, Midway, Swadlincote DE11 7LD; e-mail: [email protected] (for general correspondence, case work and website) Treasurer: Jean West, 172 Plaw Hatch Close, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 5BJ Visits Secretary: temporary vacancy Membership Secretary: Paul Gardner, 1 Sunderland Close, Borstal, Rochester, ME1 3AS; e-mail: [email protected] Casework Officer: Michael Atkinson, 47 Kitchener Terrace, North Shields, NE30 2HH; e-mail: [email protected] Editor: Chris Skidmore, 46 Princes Drive, Skipton BD23 1HL; e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 01756 790056 (correspondence re the Newsletter and other Society publications). Copy for the next (May 2014) Newsletter needs to reach the Editor by 31 March 2014, please. NOTICEBOARD CHAPELS SOCIETY EVENTS 26 April 2014 Visit to Maidstone (Paul Gardner) 12 July 2014 AGM and London (Islington) visit (Andrew Worth) Autumn 2014 Visit to Pendle and Bowland area on Lancashire/ Yorkshire border (Chris Skidmore/Roger Holden) November 2014 Conference on 20th century chapels EDITORIAL There seems to be increasing interest in buildings of the twentieth century [see News section p. 16] and members will be eager to have more information about the conference planned for November this year on that topic, which will be in association with the Twentieth Century Society.
    [Show full text]
  • Heritage at Risk Register 2018, East of England
    East of England Register 2018 HERITAGE AT RISK 2018 / EAST OF ENGLAND Contents The Register III Norwich 46 South Norfolk 47 Content and criteria III Peterborough, City of (UA) 50 Criteria for inclusion on the Register V Southend-on-Sea (UA) 54 Reducing the risks VII Suffolk 54 Key statistics XI Babergh 54 Publications and guidance XII Forest Heath 55 Ipswich 56 Key to the entries XIV Mid Suffolk 56 Entries on the Register by local planning XVI St Edmundsbury 59 authority Suffolk Coastal 61 Bedford (UA) 1 Waveney 64 Cambridgeshire 2 Thurrock (UA) 66 Cambridge 2 East Cambridgeshire 3 Fenland 5 Huntingdonshire 7 South Cambridgeshire 8 Central Bedfordshire (UA) 12 Essex 14 Braintree 14 Brentwood 15 Chelmsford 16 Colchester 16 Epping Forest 18 Harlow 19 Maldon 19 Tendring 20 Uttlesford 23 Hertfordshire 24 Broxbourne 24 Dacorum 24 East Hertfordshire 25 North Hertfordshire 26 St Albans 28 Stevenage 29 Three Rivers 29 Watford 29 Welwyn Hatfield 30 Luton (UA) 30 Norfolk 30 Breckland 30 Broadland 35 Great Yarmouth 36 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 39 Norfolk Broads (NP) 43 North Norfolk 43 II HERITAGE AT RISK 2018 / EAST OF ENGLAND LISTED BUILDINGS THE REGISTER Listing is the most commonly encountered type of statutory protection of heritage assets. A listed building Content and criteria (or structure) is one that has been granted protection as being of special architectural or historic interest. The LISTING older and rarer a building is, the more likely it is to be listed. Buildings less than 30 years old are listed only if Definition they are of very high quality and under threat.
    [Show full text]
  • Essex Journal
    EssexJOURNAL A REVIEW OF LOCAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY SpringSpring 20102008 JAMES BETTLEY DISCUSSES ATTITUDES TO NINETEENTH-CENTURY ARCHITECTURE PLUS PLUME LIBRARY PORTRAITS, COPPED HALL EXCAVATIONS AND CHARLES GRAY ROUND & THE 1847 OXFORD ELECTION ALSO BOOK REVIEWS, AND NOEL BEER ANSWERS EJ 20 QUESTIONS Spring 2010 Vol.45 No.1 EssexJOURNAL ISSN-0014-0961 Incorporating Essex Review he ESSEX JOURNAL is published twice a year under the management of CONTENTS T an Editorial Board consisting of representatives of the Essex Archaeological and Editorial 1 Historical Congress, the Friends of Historic Essex, the Essex Record Office (on behalf of the Exit Ussher, enter Brownrig: the tale of a Essex County Council), and the Honorary Editor. portrait in the Plume Library, Maldon 5 It is recognised that the statutory duties of the by Tony Doe County Council preclude the ERO from sharing in the financial commitments of the consortium. ‘a noble large house’: excavations on the site of a Tudor mansion at Copped Hall 8 by Christina Holloway Chairman:Adrian Corder-Birch, The 1847 Oxford Election: C.G. Round versus [email protected] W.E. Gladstone 16 Hon. Editor: Neil Wiffen, MA, by Rita Sharp [email protected] Hon.Treasurer: Geraldine Willden, MAAT, Attitudes to Ninteenth-Century Architecture [email protected] in Essex 22 Hon. Secretary: Karen Lawrence, MA, by James Bettley [email protected] Hon. Membership Secretary: Jenepher Hawkins, MA, Book Reviews: 29 [email protected] Geoffrey Ball, Land, Agriculture and Industry in North-West Essex: Spotlights on a Land Remembered, (N. Wiffen) The annual subscription of £10.00 should be Ariel Crittall, My Life smilingly unravelled, sent to:The Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • 19Th- and 20Th-Century Roman Catholic Churches Introductions to Heritage Assets Summary
    19th- and 20th-Century Roman Catholic Churches Introductions to Heritage Assets Summary Historic England’s Introductions to Heritage Assets (IHAs) are accessible, authoritative, illustrated summaries of what we know about specific types of archaeological site, building, landscape or marine asset. Typically they deal with subjects which lack such a summary. This can either be where the literature is dauntingly voluminous, or alternatively where little has been written. Most often it is the latter, and many IHAs bring understanding of site or building types which are neglected or little understood. Many of these are what might be thought of as ‘new heritage’, that is they date from after the Second World War. For over two hundred years after the Act of Uniformity (1559) outward observance of the Roman Catholic faith was illegal in England. The building of public places of worship did not resume until the end of the 18th century, gathering pace after Catholic Emancipation (1829) and the restoration of the hierarchy (1850). The 20th century saw accelerated expansion. This is therefore a relatively modern building stock, with approximately two thirds of more than 3,000 churches dating from the 20th century, and from the 1950s and 1960s in particular. Although there are stylistic crossovers with Anglican and, to a lesser extent, Nonconformist church design, Catholic churches have a distinct character, driven in large part by liturgical function. The building type has evolved over the years to meet changing liturgical and other needs. Today, a decline in the number of priests and demographic and pastoral change means that many Catholic churches face an uncertain future.
    [Show full text]