Our values

Our values are the characteristics that define the Trust and our work: welcoming, passionate, expert, empowering, innovative and distinct.

Welcoming

Every year we welcome more visitors to our churches - over 1.5 millioin at last count.

Whoever they are - history lovers, school children, ramblers or neighbours - we want to make sure that a visit to a CCT church makes their day a little better.

We are here to help visitors recognise and experience what is special about each of the churches in our care.

Passionate

Many historic churches are no longer needed for regular worship. This makes them vulnerable.

Beautiful buildings have the ability to lift the spirit and there are too few of them to be cavalier about their future.

With CCT's passion, and collective action, it is not only possible to save these iconic buildings but also to see them thrive again at the heart of communities. A place of inspiration and enjoyment for everyone.

Expert

We have been protecting and conserving church fabric, carvings, stained glass and art for over 40 years. We are experts in the field.

Our work, both in conservation and new use of churches, wins national and international awards.

The collection of churches in our care is unique. Each has been saved because it represents something remarkable. That's why we are there on the ground, every day, working with an army of supporters to keep them open, alive, used.

Empowering

For churches to thrive they need a network of active support. When communities are empowered to take the initiative with our churches interesting things happen.

CCT gives active support and encouragement - helping communities to shape solutions.

Sometimes that solution is simple; to protect and open a hidden gem. Sometimes it is ambitious; creating a community space in the heart of a multi-cultural city. Recognising what is special about these buildings, and supporting others to realise it, is what we do well.

Innovative

St Paul's church in Bristol was a broken shell when it came to CCT. Its restoration proved the catalyst for the regeneration of an area.

We joined with Circomedia - one of the country's leading circus schools - to create a hub for community life with the school, a cafe and a fantastic outreach programme for young people. St Paul's, once so clearly at risk, is again a place of beauty, pride and even occasional worship.

We like to surprise people.
And sometimes the best solutions are not the most obvious ones.

Learn more about St Paul's transformation

Distinct

• CCT cares for more historic buildings than any charity after the National Trust
• We work across government, the church and local communities to save historic churches
• We protect one of the greatest collections of ecclesiastical architecture and art in the world
• We operate on a small budget and need to raise an additional £1.5million every year for essential repairs
• Every year more churches come into our care
• Our work is only possible with the support of over 1,000 volunteers and 58 Friends' Groups