Report on the Major Parish Churches Consultation Place, People, Building
11 June 2026 – St John the Evangelist, Iffley Road, Oxford
On Thursday 11 June 2026 clergy, lay leaders, and heritage professionals gathered at St John the Evangelist, Oxford, for a consultation day on Major Parish Churches – Place, People, Building. The event was organised jointly by the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture at the University of York, the Church of England's Cathedrals and Church Buildings Department, and the Major Churches Network. The day focused on collaboration, discussion, and the sharing of practical experience between those responsible for churches that combine active worship with significant heritage responsibilities.
The programme began with welcome sessions before moving into presentations from leading organisations working within the church heritage sector. The Third Churches Estates Commissioner, Sir Robert Buckland, was the keynote speaker. In his speech he recognised the significance of Major Churches, their importance in the communities, and that they need support and recognition that they are unique in the service they provide.
The Major Churches Network Chair, Canon Hilary Barber from Halifax Minster, provided an update on the recent development of the network, the 2025 Major Churches Network Conference, and the soon to be launched Major Churches Training programme that will be provided by Canon Adrian Daffern from the Cathedral and Major Church Buildings Team.
One of the other principal speakers was Diana Evans, Head of Places of Worship Strategy at Historic England. Her presentation explored Historic England's developing strategy for places of worship and provided delegates with an update on the Places of Worship Renewal Fund. Throughout the day, delegates also heard from representatives of the University of York's Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture, the Church of England's Cathedrals and Church Buildings Department, the Major Churches Network, and the Historic Religious Buildings Alliance. These sessions highlighted the increasingly close partnership between heritage bodies, the Church and local congregations in supporting Major Parish Churches.
A recurring theme was the unique position occupied by Major Parish Churches. These buildings are simultaneously centres of Christian worship, historic landmarks, community venues, and significant heritage assets. Speakers emphasised that their long-term sustainability depends upon successfully balancing mission, community engagement, conservation, and financial resilience. Discussion sessions enabled attendees from across the country to share examples of successful practice, common challenges, and opportunities for future collaboration. The day demonstrated the importance of partnership working between national organisations and local churches. Topics included heritage funding, building conservation, community use of church buildings, governance, and ensuring that historic churches remain sustainable centres of worship and public life.
Overall, the day reinforced the growing recognition that Major Parish Churches occupy a distinctive place within the Church of England. By bringing together church leaders, heritage professionals and national organisations, the event provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and contribute to the future development of one of England's most important groups of ecclesiastical buildings.