St Edward the Confessor, Brotherton.

31/03/2026

Research shows that the public are largely unaware of who foots the bill for church repairs. A poll commissioned by Historic England, which was carried out by Savanta, interviewed 1763 adults in England in September 2025. The poll asked: which of the following do you believe is mainly responsible for the upkeep of historic churches?

• Over a third of people – 39% – believed it was the relevant church authorities, for example the Church of England or the Catholic Church.
• 15% thought it was the local District Council
• 12% did not know
• 12% said it was the National Churches Trust
• 12% believed it was Historic England or English Heritage
• 11% said it was a local committee including the vicar, churchwardens and ordinary people
• 1% believed it was another organisation

So, who does pay for church repairs to keep these buildings open and in use?

The responsibility for the upkeep, care and maintenance of historic churches falls on the shoulders of the local congregation, including any staff – but in almost all cases it is mainly volunteers – at each church, chapel, meeting house or cathedral.

One in every 20 churches in the UK needs a new roof in the next year. There are almost 1,000 churches, chapels, meeting houses and cathedrals on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. We know from speaking to churches that they are putting off urgent repairs because they do not have the money. Grants are scarce and application forms take time and fundraising expertise – many churches do not have paid staff who can apply or are unaware of what help there is out there.

Towers are crumbling. Timbers are rotting. Roofs are leaking. We risk losing some of these buildings for good if action is not taken soon.

And the funding landscape is changing with the end of the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme - listed churches will now have to pay tax on their repairs. Keep up with the latest news on these changes at our website: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/VAT

📸 © Michael Garlick, CC BY 2.0 (Toftree All Saints, Norfolk)

25/03/2026

Join us in prayer for the Archbishop of Canterbury on the day of her installation. 🙏

23/02/2026

Take a look at this video, 'clip miracle maker man shall not live by bread alone'

A short extract from my favourite Jesus movie - The Miracle Maker. This extract was made to show at a family service. The scene starts as Jesus has just been baptised by John. I have another extract which precedes these events - showing the whole of Jesus's baptism by John. The Miracle Maker is an a...

17/02/2026

18/12/2025

Crib Service Christmas Eve 1.30pm
For all the family!

04/12/2025

The Aire Benefice Advent Course begins today.
2pm at St Andrew, Ferrybridge
December 4th, 11th & 18th 2pm - 3.30pm
Fr Phil will be exploring The Beattitudes
All Welcome

03/12/2025

Christmas services - something for everyone!

29/11/2025

St Edward Sunday Social
30th November
Parish Hall
1pm - 3pm

29/11/2025

Sunday 30th November
No service at St Edward we are meeting at St Edmund Kellington at 10am

21/11/2025

Today a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck an area about 40 km east of Dhaka, Bangladesh causing loss of life, injury and damage to buildings. The Most Revd Samuel Sunil Mankhin (Moderator of the Church of Bangladesh and Bishop of Dhaka), has called for prayers.

According to local reports, at least three people were killed when part of a six-storey structure collapsed, with others injured by falling debris and damaged construction sites. Tremors were felt widely across Dhaka and neighbouring regions, prompting residents to evacuate buildings and gather in open areas.

A Prayer for Bangladesh:

Almighty God,
Our refuge and strength in every time of trouble,
We commend to your care the people of Bangladesh affected by the recent earthquake.
Grant healing to the injured, comfort to those who mourn and protection to all who remain fearful or displaced.
Strengthen those engaged in rescue and relief efforts and guide the authorities as they respond to the needs of their communities.
Bless the Church of Bangladesh in its ministry of compassion, that it may be a sign of hope and solidarity in this time of distress.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.