Places of Worship Forum (POWF)
The Places of Worship Forum (POWF) is a non-denominational, strategic forum ; actively involving organisations that are considering the transition pathways, and collectively seeking sustainable future uses (within, and beyond worship) for Places of Worship within Scotland.
Membership is open to any overarching organisation that owns, manages or runs places of worship; any national organisation that does/could fund places of worship; any national organisation that has an interest in the sustainability of communities who may become owners of places of worship, and national bodies giving advice relevant to places of worship.
Places of Worship – being defined as buildings that have had, or still have, use as active places of worship. All faith groups, Christian and non-Christian denominations are welcome. There is an understanding that activity may focus on historic places of worship that are seen to have cultural value. More modern places of worship may have high community value, and their strategic use and sustainability may also be part of the conversations.
Places of Worship Forum Chair: Sara Robertson
POWF Members
The Places of Worship Forum member organisations are committed to supporting places of worship across Scotland. Meet our members and find out how they engage with communities, assist in the transition process, and provide valuable resources.
Church of Scotland General Trustees
The Church of Scotland General Trustees assists congregations in the transferral of buildings through the Presbytery Mission Plan process. They guide maintenance, repairs, and the sale of churches, engaging at the initial stage of the process. On a national scale, the Church of Scotland offers support to ensure that congregations are well-informed and prepared for the transition of their places of worship.
When to contact: Initial stage of closure process
Scale: National
Funding Body: No
Historic Churches Scotland
Historic Churches Scotland is a heritage conservation charity dedicated to preserving historic places of worship across Scotland. Collaborating with communities to conserve these significant buildings and create sustainable community assets, Historic Churches Scotland engages at the earliest opportunity, before closure. As a national organisation, Historic Churches Scotland works to save nationally important historic places of worship at risk due to disuse and neglect, providing advice, guidance, and support to communities taking ownership of their church buildings. By championing the value of these historic buildings and working together with communities, the charity plays a vital role in protecting Scotland’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.
When to contact: Earliest opportunity, prior to closure
Scale: National
Funding body: No
Website: https://historicchurches.scot/
Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is the lead public body responsible for investigating, caring for, and promoting Scotland’s historic environment. With a wide range of functions, including designation, regulation, funding, and community engagement, HES primarily engages when physical changes are proposed to designated buildings. As a national organisation, HES provides advice and support to owners, developers, and local authorities, while also undertaking extensive survey and recording work to document and understand Scotland’s historic environment. Through its grants and funding programs, HES supports the conservation, repair, and regeneration of historic buildings and sites, helping to ensure their long-term sustainability and public benefit.
When to contact: When physical changes are proposed.
Scale: National
Funding Body: Yes
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/
National Churches Trust
The National Churches Trust provides grants, advice, and support to keep churches, chapels, and meeting houses open and thriving. Engaging with communities from the onset, the Trust offers vital assistance to congregations and communities exploring their options, whether it’s finding ways to remain open or moving forward with transition plans. With a national presence and a network of dedicated support officers, the National Churches Trust is committed to preserving the UK’s rich religious heritage.
When to contact: Early scoping stage/start of the process.
Scale: National
Funding body: Yes
Website: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/impact
National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder of UK heritage, awarding grants to sustain and transform the nation’s historic buildings, landscapes, and traditions. With a mission to make heritage accessible and inclusive for all, the Fund engages with projects at an early stage or later in the process, providing support to current or potential owners of places of worship. As an independent, non-departmental public body, the National Lottery Heritage Fund works collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that the funding it provides has the greatest possible impact on the UK’s heritage landscape.
When to contact: Early stages or later in the process.
Scale: National
Funding Body: Yes
Website: https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/
Scottish Civic Trust
The Scottish Civic Trust is a charity dedicated to helping people connect with their built heritage and actively participate in shaping its future. Engaging with communities, asset owners, and stakeholders throughout the process and closure of places of worship, the Trust ensures that communities are empowered and represented in matters concerning the built environment. With a national presence and a commitment to its core values, the Scottish Civic Trust monitors listed places of worship, those in Conservation Areas, and associated planning applications. Through its initiatives and support for amenity groups, the Trust works towards fostering well-informed public concern for the environment, promoting high-quality planning and architecture, and conserving and adapting historic buildings for the benefit of communities across Scotland.
When to contact: Throughout the process and closure
Scale: National
Funding body: No
Website: https://www.scottishcivictrust.org.uk/
Scottish Council of Jewish Communities
The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCoJeC) is the democratic representative body of the Jewish community in Scotland. Established in response to devolution, SCoJeC aims to provide the Scottish Jewish community with a single, democratically accountable voice in dealings with the Scottish Parliament, Government, and other statutory and official bodies. As an umbrella organisation for all Jewish communities in Scotland, SCoJeC engages with the wider community by circulating relevant information and responding to requests for assistance. With a national reach, SCoJeC works to promote dialogue, understanding, and cooperation between the Jewish community and other faith and cultural communities in Scotland.
When to contact: Circulates information and engages when requested
Scale: National
Funding body: No
Website: https://www.scojec.org/
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church engages with communities through its seven dioceses, offering diverse worship styles and involvement in social issues. With a national presence, the Scottish Episcopal Church is committed to supporting congregations at an early stage of the transition process. Through its internal grant system, the church provides financial assistance for the maintenance and development of Episcopal church buildings, ensuring that these places of worship can continue in worshipful use.
When to contact: Early scoping stage
Scale: National
Funding body: Internal grant system
Website: https://www.scotland.anglican.org/
SURF – Scotland’s Regeneration Forum
SURF – Scotland’s Regeneration Forum is dedicated to promoting best practices in community-led regeneration. By sharing knowledge and expertise with communities and local authorities, SURF aims to influence policy and support disadvantaged areas throughout Scotland. Although not directly involved in the process of closing or selling places of worship, SURF plays a crucial role in promoting opportunities and processes to ensure that communities are well-equipped to handle these transitions.
When to contact: At any part of the process, including early scoping.
Scale: National
Funding Body: No
Website: https://surf.scot
The Architectural Heritage Fund
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is a registered charity that helps communities find sustainable new uses for historic buildings through advice, grants, and loans. With a focus on promoting the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK, the AHF engages with constituted groups at any point in their project, providing support throughout the process. As a national organisation with a network of local officers, the AHF is committed to delivering targeted investment, supporting charities and social enterprises, and championing the impact of heritage and community-led regeneration.
When to contact: Any point
Scale: National
Funding Body: Yes
Website: https://ahfund.org.uk/scotland
The Methodist Church
The Methodist Church is committed to assisting congregations in finding sustainable ways forward before closure. With a focus on worship, learning, caring, service, and evangelism, the Methodist Church engages with communities at a national scale, supporting over 300 churches across Scotland. By offering small feasibility funds and providing guidance throughout the transition process, the Methodist Church aims to ensure that congregations can make informed decisions about the future of their places of worship.
When to contact: Earliest opportunity, prior to closure.
Scale: National (300+ churches)
Funding body: Small feasibility funds
Website: https://www.methodist.org.uk/
USEFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES:
This guidance has been developed by the Community Ownership Support Service, Heritage Trust Network and Historic Churches Scotland to meet a growing need from communities for specific guidance around churches and accompanying land. Taking over a building of any type is a big step for a community and brings with it substantial responsibility. It can appear a daunting prospect, but this document has been designed to guide you through the process.
This report describes the outcomes of ‘Bridging the Gap’, which was a pilot research project conducted by The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), Historic Churches Scotland (HCS), Heritage Trust Network and Churches Trust for Cumbria (CTfC). From January to August 2022 the partners worked with community groups in rural areas in southern Scotland and northern England, to explore the barriers surrounding sustainable community ownership of church buildings.
Scotland’s Churches Trust created an online form, to collate images and recording data in a single location. That can easily be replicated by small local groups, who have identified and sought permission to record their local closing churches, and we have developed a recorders’ handbook with advice and tips to assist with the recording and uploading of each church record to the HES Archives.
The Sustainable Investment Tool – or SIT – was developed to help visualise the different positive aspects associated with existing buildings and their related projects. The SIT can help us plan a sustainable future, have greater understanding of our places, and increase their potential and resilience. Exploring the different values of a place can help identify new ways of thinking, promote greater advocacy for projects, and perhaps enhance new funding and investment opportunities.
Using the SIT can help start conversations around the wider benefits and potential that our existing buildings and places can deliver – highlighting the positive outcomes for Wellbeing, Climate, Culture, and Economy.
Historic Environment Scotland blog – Kilmaronock Old Kirk Trust give their top tips for community groups thinking of taking on the running of a historic place of worship.