To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, which
Church of England churches in the Diocese of (a) Blackburn, (b) Manchester, (c) Liverpool
and (d) Carlisle were sold in 2014; and how many such churches were sold to (i) other
named protestant churches, (ii) named orthodox churches, (iii) other named Christian
organisations, (iv) named non-Christian organisations, (v) organisations planning
to use them for housing and (vi) organisations planning to use them for other named
community uses.
<p>From the records held centrally by the Church Commissioners, Closed Churches Division
of the four dioceses mentioned only two closed churches were sold in 2014, both in
the Diocese of Manchester, Primarily for use for nursery, playschool and other educational
purposes, but not to named institutions. <br></p><p> </p><p>Very few Church of England
church buildings are closed for regular public worship in any year and where such
buildings are closed, the duty placed on the Diocese and the Church Commissioners
is to seek a suitable use for the building.</p><p> </p><p>In 2014, in addition to
the two closed church buildings mentioned above a further 14 closed Church of England
buildings were sold and 3 leased across England: 5 for community purposes; 3 for use
as a monument; 5 for residential use; and 4 for worship by other Christian bodies.</p><p>
</p>
