Holding events in Trust churches

The Churches Conservation Trust is committed to seeing its churches used for a host of local activities and events.

Our churches provide an ideal venue for a wide variety of events, ranging from flower festivals and craft fairs to benefit the local community, to major music festivals and art exhibitions.

Musical groups, in particular, find our churches wonderful performance spaces due to the natural acoustics and several churches still have performance standard organs. There may also be working church bells.

The Trust churches remain consecrated and many also hold occasional services to which all are welcome.

If you are holding an event that you would like to add to our What’s On listing please get in touch with the details of your event by using the Enquiry Form on the website.

Advice and support

We have regional staff with whom you can discuss your request. They all have considerable experience in arranging church events. Each Trust church usually has at least one local volunteer who can provide access to the building and explain the facilities available. Many of our larger churches also have a full or part-time custodian and, at a growing number of sites, Friends Groups are on hand to help manage events.

For those planning music events, the Trust has recently joined forces with Making Music, the largest support group in the voluntary music sector.

Please be aware that a number of our churches are without heating, electricity or toilet facilities (although alternative facilities can often by found nearby).  The level of access also varies from church to church.  We strongly advise that you visit the church before submitting your event enquiry to check that the venue will be suitable for your event.

Costs

Using a Trust church for your event offers excellent value.  Our priority is to see the churches used as a community resource and we can be flexible on the cost involved, depending on a user’s circumstances – we may be able to agree a hire charge in advance or to agree a share of a collection at an event, for example.

Charges are made using a sliding scaled and range from small hourly rates to full day hire, including facilities. 

Further details of costs, as well as matters such as insurance can be discussed once you have registered your interest in holding an event with us. You may also wish to have a look at our Scale of Charges document.

Services in Trust churches

The Trust is delighted that its churches are still available for religious services, including weddings, funerals and baptisms. 

Specific advice regarding getting married in a Trust church.

All religious use is subject to the agreement of the Diocesan Bishop and the Incumbent of the parish in which the church is situated. The Trust will normally follow their advice, subject to the availability of the church.

If you have further questions about holding an event in one of our churches, please contact us.