REDUNDANCY, COMMUNITY AND HERITAGE IN THE MODERN CHURCH OF ENGLAND, 1945-2000 : closing the... church door

This book is a reappraisal of Anglican Church redundancy from a cultural perspective. It challenges long-held perceptions about the rationale for church redundancy, particularly secularisation. It argues that redundancy brought to the surface far-reaching social and cultural tensions that remain unresolved to this day, and which the pandemic closure of buildings has reignited. Acknowledgements About This Book Contents About the Author Abbreviations List of Figures List of Tables 1 Introduction Historiography Secularisation Internal Secularisation Community and Belonging Heritage Sources and Methodology The Case Study Counties and Dioceses Redundant Churches Notes References 2 The Church, the State and National Heritage: Contentious Debate Early Legislation Strengthening the Power of the Church Towards a Strategy: Pastoral Measure 1968 (PM1968) The 1968 Measure in Action: Tension and Amendment Increasing Financial Need Conclusion Notes References 3 The Church as an Institution—Finance, Ministry, Repair and Redundancy Beginning to Adapt: 1940s and 1950s Significant Changes: 1960s and 1970s Financial Pressures: 1980s and 1990s Issues of Maintenance and Repair Bureaucratic Delays and Decay Conclusion Notes References 4 Community: Cultural and Demographic Change, Reaction and Response Urban Change Rural Change Responding to Socio-Cultural Change Community Response to Church Redundancy Reaction to the Alternative Use of Church Buildings Conclusion Notes References 5 Personal Religiosity: Belonging, Believing and Behaving Religious Choice Patterns of Belonging Patterns of Behaving The Impact of Increasing Religious Diversity Attitudes to Non-Christian Purchasers of Redundant Churches Churchyard Sales Conclusion Notes References 6 Collaboration: Church of England Agencies and the Heritage Movement Call for Expert-Led Policy Tense Beginnings Intervention Architectural Value Alternative Use and Demolition Conclusion Notes References 7 Conclusion References Appendices Appendix 1: Redundant Anglican Churches in Leicestershire Closed Before the Pastoral Measure 1968 (Where Information Is Available) Appendix 2: Redundant Anglican Churches in Leicestershire, 1968-2000 Appendix 3: Churches in Lincolnshire Made Redundant Before 1968 Appendix 4: Redundant Anglican Churches in the Lincoln Diocese Since the Pastoral Measure 1968 Appendix 5: Twentieth-Century Pastoral Reorganisation In The Lincoln Diocese—Where Information Is Available Appendix 6: Flowchart Process for Alternative Use Appendix 7: Dates of Informal Closure and Formal Redundancy Appendix 8: Heritage Amenity Societies Index