Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Historic Church Preservation: Northumberland

Thursday 28 November 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Churches in Northumberland can apply for support from the 11 million Buildings for Mission fund.
  • St Mary's Church in Woodhorn, Blyth and Ashington, is one of the oldest and most historic churches in Northumberland and is currently under the care of Northumberland county council.
  • Martin Vickers highlighted the importance of community support and leadership for historic churches, using the example of Ashby cum Fenby in his constituency.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Culture, Media & Sport Religion & Faith
Context

Northumberland has many architecturally significant historic churches. The Buildings for Mission fund supports church preservation.

Question

What steps the Church is taking to ensure the preservation of historic churches in Northumberland.

Answer from Marsha de Cordova

The historic churches of Northumberland are among the oldest and most architecturally significant in our country. Any church can apply for support from the £11 million Buildings for Mission fund. The diocese of Newcastle is very grateful for the support of the Northumbria Historic Churches Trust and other local grant-making bodies. My hon. Friend may also want to encourage his parishes to approach some of these excellent charities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps by the Church in Northumberland, beyond general funding availability.

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Q2 Ian Lavery Lab Blyth and Ashington
Culture, Media & Sport Religion & Faith
Context

St Mary's Church in Woodhorn has not been used for worship since 1973. It is under the care of Northumberland county council but its state is dilapidated.

Question

St Mary's Church in Woodhorn in my constituency has not been in operation for worship since 1973. It is one of the oldest, most historic churches in Northumberland, if not the country. It is under the care of Northumberland county council now, but it is in a dilapidated state. Can my hon. Friend give me some advice on who I can contact within the Church to see whether it can support the church to ensure that it is part not just of the history of our wonderful county, but of its future?

Answer from Marsha de Cordova

My hon. Friend rightly highlights that St Mary's church in his constituency is one of the oldest, and it is a charming example of wonderful architecture. I understand some of the challenges that he mentions, as the church has been closed for a long period of time. It would be wonderful to see churches such as that reopen—we would all like to see churches open as opposed to closed, as many of them are. As a grade I listed building on the National Heritage List for England, it is eligible for grants for repairs and renovations. I am happy to write to my hon. Friend with a list of grant-making bodies. I will ask Church House for further advice on who he can speak to, as well as working together to see whether we can get his church reopened.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or commitments regarding reopening and supporting St Mary's Church in Woodhorn.

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Q3 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Religion & Faith
Context

The village of Ashby cum Fenby recently showed community support for their local church. With priests spread across many parishes, it is challenging to provide leadership.

Question

It is not just in Northumberland where there are many historic churches. The village of Ashby cum Fenby in my constituency has recently shown that the local community will come together to support their local church, but vital to that is leadership. With priests spread throughout so many different parishes, it becomes more and more difficult to provide that leadership. Can the hon. Lady give an assurance that the Church will do all it can to ensure that our smaller villages are not neglected, and that there are regular services and leadership by the ordained priest?

Answer from Marsha de Cordova

I agree with you, Mr Speaker, but I congratulate the hon. Member on trying so diligently on that question. What I will say is that I will happily write to him with a response to that, if that is okay.

Not addressed: Assurance regarding regular leadership and services for smaller village churches.

How: I Agree With You, But I Congratulate The Hon. Member

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