Church buildings in deprived areas closing faster than in affluent communities

A report from Church Action on Poverty concludes that there are more church closures in areas of deprivation in Greater Manchester than in affluent neighbourhoods. “Is the church losing faith in low income communities in Greater Manchester?” was commissioned to investigate the pattern of church closures from 2010-2020. It found the highest proportion shut within the Church of England, Catholic, Methodist and Baptist denominations were in the most deprived areas. Only the United Reformed Church had more closures in affluent areas. In this Religion Media Centre briefing, the panel discussed the reasons for this in the context of an imbalance of power, resources and agency. They also discussed an accompanying report on what it means to be a church "on the margin" and whether church buildings are essential to build Christian communities. Rosie Dawson hosted the discussion with guests including: Niall Cooper, Director, Church Action on Poverty; Kate Gray, Minister of the Dandelion Community in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester; The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker; Eunice Attwood, church on the margins officer for the Methodist church; Rev Canon Jean Hurlston, Anglican Borough Dean of Oldham; Rev Philip Brooks, Deputy General Secretary (Mission). The United Reformed Church; Deirdre Bower-Latz, researcher and the Rev Fiona Tweedie, Brendan Research

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