Cathedral in Manchester, England / Envato Market
by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – Thousands of churches across the United Kingdom may close within the next five years as financial hardship, maintenance costs, and declining attendance continue to erode the viability of many congregations, according to a new nationwide survey.
The National Churches Trust (NCT) warned that as many as 2,000 churches could shut down by 2030, marking one of the steepest declines in active worship sites in modern British history. The findings were drawn from a May–June survey of 3,600 congregations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The survey revealed that nearly 70 percent of churches expressed confidence they would remain open through 2030, while another 26 percent said they were “probably” secure. However, about 5 percent—roughly one in every 20 churches—were uncertain about their future. Rural congregations appeared especially vulnerable, with 7 percent expecting closure compared to 4 percent in urban areas. Among denominations, Methodist churches faced the greatest risk, with 12 percent doubting their long-term survival, followed by 9 percent of Presbyterian congregations expressing similar concern. Although Anglicans reported a comparatively lower closure risk of 4 percent, their large national presence means that figure could still translate into as many as 700 closures across the United Kingdom.
The study found that historic status played a role in determining outlook: Grade I listed buildings were more optimistic about remaining open, while unlisted or poorly maintained properties faced the greatest uncertainty.
“This is an existential moment for the U.K.’s church buildings,” the NCT said in June as it launched the Future of the U.K.’s Church Buildings initiative to develop strategies for preservation and reuse.
In Wales, the decline has already taken a heavy toll — roughly 25% of churches have closed over the past decade, mirroring falling attendance and population trends.
The financial squeeze is compounded by policy changes. While churches can claim up to £25,000 per year in government repair grants, the requirement for each claim to exceed £1,000 limits smaller parishes from receiving support for minor repairs.
Cathedrals, by contrast, remain confident in their long-term stability due to tourism revenue and institutional backing, while smaller local churches increasingly face difficult choices between merging, repurposing their spaces, or closure.
According to The Brierley Research Consultancy, the total number of active worship sites in the U.K. fell from 42,000 to 39,800 in the last decade — a trend accelerated by post-pandemic attendance drops and rising repair costs.
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