Tag: cathedrals

Bishop of Norwich asks about grant funding for Cathedrals

The Bishop of Norwich asked a question on grant applications from Cathedrals on 6th March 2025, during a discussion on introducing  admission charges to museums and galleries for non-UK residents:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, this nation’s cathedrals, while not museums, are among the gems of our heritage—treasure troves of memory, architectural masterpieces, and places where prayer has been valid for centuries. The majority do not charge anyone for entry, because they believe in a theological principle that places of prayer should be free for all. Will the Minister confirm that, when cathedrals that do not charge an entry fee apply for grants from public money, His Majesty’s Government will not penalise them?

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Church Commissioners Questions: Rural Parishes, Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, Cathedrals, Church of Scotland, Diocese of Jerusalem, Church Organs, Archbishop of Canterbury

On 27th February 2025, Marsha De Cordova MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following answers to MPs in the House of Commons:

Rural Parishes

Charlie Dewhirst MP (Bridlington and The Wolds) (Con) asked: What assessment the Church of England has made of the contribution of rural parishes. (902885)

    Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab): The Church of England has more than 10,000 churches in our towns and villages in rural areas. In addition to their regular processes of prayer and worship, parish churches play an important role in the life of our rural communities.

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    Church Commissioners Written Questions: Cathedral Choirs

    On 27th January 2025, Marsha De Cordova, the 2nd Church Estates Commissioner, gave the following written answer to a questions from an MP:

    Cathedrals: Choirs

    Mark Pritchard MP (Con, The Wrekin): To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church Commissioners are taking to support the work, cultural and spiritual contribution of cathedral choirs.

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    Bishop of St Albans raises impact of budget on listed places of worship and cathedral choir schools

    The Bishop of St Albans spoke in a debate on the impact of the recent Budget on arts, culture, and heritage on 14th November 2024, raising the issue of the Listed Places of Worship Grants scheme and the impact of increased VAT on choir schools:

    The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, I too thank the noble Baroness, Lady Sater, for securing this debate.

    A number of elements of the recent Budget are to be welcomed, such as the continuation of Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief and the cultural infrastructure funding. However, many of us were disappointed that there was no update on the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme, which is such a lifeline for so many of our historic buildings. The Church of England and other churches are trustees of some of the most important buildings in this country. We have to raise, voluntarily, tens of millions of pounds, and we really need to find ways to help very many pressurised local communities. These buildings are not used just for worship; many of them are the local concert venue. They have all sorts of music-making going on and they are places where music lessons are given. Many of our schools come into the churches, and they are used for all sorts of reasons beyond Sunday and midweek worship. I hope that DCMS will make a decision on this in the coming weeks, and I urge the Minister to ensure its future.

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    Bishop of Chichester introduces Church of England pensions and miscellaneous provisions legislation

    On 23rd January 2024, the Bishop of Chichester spoke in support of two motions to direct that the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure and the Church of England Pensions (Application of Capital Funds) Measure be  presented for Royal Assent. The Bishop of Manchester also spoke in support of one motion.

    Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure

    Motion to Direct

    Moved by –

    The Lord Bishop of Chichester: That this House do direct that, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure be presented to His Majesty for the Royal Assent.

    My Lords, this is the latest in a series of miscellaneous provisions measures. It makes provision for a range of matters concerning the Church of England that do not merit separate, freestanding legislation. It includes provisions relating to the General Synod, ecclesiastical offices, ecclesiastical jurisdiction, Church property, elections to representative bodies, the functions of the Church Commissioners, appointments to the Church of England pensions board and the conduct of various types of meeting. I do not propose to take noble Lords through each of its 22 clauses in turn, but I thought I should draw attention to some of the more significant provisions.

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    Church Commissioners Questions: Engagement with Young People, Cathedrals, Same Sex Relationships, Persecuted Christians, Antisocial Behaviour, and Parish Ministry

    On 16th November 2023, Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following answers to questions from MPs in the House of Commons:

    Engagement with Children and Young People

    Bob Blackman MP (Con, Harrow East) asked: What recent progress the Church of England has made on increasing engagement with children and young people.

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    Church Commissioner Questions: Church Attendance, Sustainable Maintenance, Historic Involvement with Slavery, Lichfield Cathedral, and Blessings for Same-sex Couples

    On 26th January 2023, MPs put questions in the House of Commons to the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP:

    Parish Churches: Family Attendance

    Kevin Foster MP (Torbay, Con), asked:

    1. What recent steps the Church of England has taken to encourage families to attend events at parish churches.

    Andrew Selous MP: There are Church of England churches that provide breakfast and lunch clubs, as well as youth, children’s and toddler activities, including messy church and much more besides. A vibrant children’s and youth ministry is often a key component of church growth.

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    Church Commissioners Written Answers: Cathedrals, Church Repair and Maintenance, and Support for Family Relationships, Parenting and Marriage

    Andrew Selous MP, representing the Church Commissioners, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs on 2nd December 2022:

    Jim Shannon MP (DUP): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, in what way cathedrals are supporting community cohesion in communities they serve.

    Andrew Selous MP (Con): First and foremost cathedrals are places of worship, but like parish churches they are also community buildings and often a focus for civic gatherings of faith, political and business leaders in our cities, which facilitate discussions for the common good. They are regularly used for pilgrimages, festivals, concerts, exhibitions and lectures, which are open to all in the community.

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    Church Commissioner Questions: Christmas Celebrations and Services, Church Investments, and Historic Cathedrals

    On 1st December 2022, MPs put questions to the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, during his monthly question time in the House of Commons.

    Christmas Celebrations and Services

    Bob Blackman MP (Con) asked:

    1. What steps the Church of England plans to take (a) nationally and (b) in Harrow East constituency to celebrate Christmas.

    Kevin Foster MP (Con) asked:

    4. What steps the Church of England plans to take to encourage families and children to attend events and services at their local parish church at Christmas.

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    Church Commissioners written answer: St Paul’s Cathedral

    Andrew Rosindell (Conservative Romford): To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to ensure the future of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

    Andrew Selous (Conservative South West Bedfordshire): The Church Commissioners and other National Church Institutions have been in regular contact with the Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral throughout the pandemic as they have with all the Anglican cathedrals in England. The Church Commissioners made additional financial support available to all cathedrals and dioceses throughout the pandemic over and above the financial support they regularly make available.

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