About the Friends

Early History
The Friends of Friendless Churches was formed in 1957 by a proud Welshman called Ivor Bulmer-Thomas to:

secure the preservation of churches and chapels, or of any part thereof, in the United Kingdom, whether belonging to or formerly used by the Church of England or by any other religious body....for public access and the benefit of the nation.

The Friends' Minute Book (1957-1977) records that their first meeting was held on 3rd July 1957, in Committee Room 13 of the House of Commons. Ivor Bulmer-Thomas was elected Chairman and Honorary Director and the Executive Committee comprised an influential group of individuals, including the architect HS Goodhart-Rendel, the philanthropist Samuel Gurney, the politician Roy Jenkins, Lady Mander (owner of Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton), the artist John Piper, the banker and politician John Smith, and the architectural historian John Summerson. John Betjeman was elected Honorary Editor, Lawrence E Jones Honorary Secretary, and the architect Sir Albert Richardson a Vice President.

Initially the Friend's pursued their objectives by campaigning and grant aiding, and hoped, after the introduction of the Pastoral Measure (1968, revised 1983) and the formation of the Redundant Churches Fund (now the Churches Conservation Trust or CCT) that they would be able quietly to dissolve. As Ivor was the first Chairman of the Fund he obviously had a vested interest in its success. However the Committee felt strongly that historic churches (such as Lightcliffe St Matthew Old Church and Wickham Bishops St Peter) which were good enough to be vested with the Redundant Churches Fund were being turned down by the Church Commissioners.

As a result, in 1972 the Friends amended their Constitution and established a company, The Friendless Churches Trust Ltd, enabling them to take direct ownership of buildings, under the Pastoral Measure, by freehold or by lease, which they felt were too important to be demolished, converted or left to decay. The residual tower at Lightcliffe was the first vesting with the Friends.

The Friends today
Today we own 38 historic but redundant churches and chapels and continue to campaign for, and to step in and save, important churches which we feel are threatened by inappropriate proposals. Half of our vestings are in Wales, where since 1993 we have been recognised as the equivalent of the CCT in England. We conserve our churches intact with their fixtures and fittings, undertaking repair where neccessary. Our churches may be used by the local community for appropriate events (concerts, meetings) and are open (with access by keys held locally) for quiet contemplation. Without us, all of these buildings would no longer be here, or open to the public.

However maintaining and repairing our vestings is a considerable financial challenge - the Friends still have no directly paid staff in England, and only a part time Field Officer in Wales. We rely a great deal on the generosity of our members and on the willingness of groups of local 'Friends' to fundraise and to act as our eyes and ears.

Furthermore the threat to historic churches is ever-present and we really do need new members to support our work. We urge all those interested in historic churches and chapels in England and Wales to join us.

Trust Funds held by The Friends

Friends of Friendless Churches is a company limited by guarantee
Company No: 1119137, registered in England and Wales.

Registered Office: St Ann's Vestry Hall, 2 Church Entry, London EC4V 5HB. Registered Charity No: 1113097.