Former Eurthymics singer Dave Stewart has partnered with Churches Conservation Trust to "repurpose churches for their original purpose: the creation and celebration of music."
Lloyd Grossman, chairman of the Churches Conservation Trust, told the Telegraph churches would remain consecrated as they have a "different feeling to secular buildings."
"In order to ensure the future of these buildings we want to make them what they used to be, when the parish church was the hub of the community.
"Wherever you go, usually the parish church is going to be the most impressive, beautiful, inspirational building, and we want to make sure that communities use and love these buildings.
"Music and churches are just so closely intertwined, whether it's sacred music or pop music is almost irrelevant because these are such great venues and the music brings people together."
Mr Stewart has previously transformed a dilapidated church in Crouch End, London into a recording studio. He said: "I think it's built in me to see old buildings and think: there should be loads of people having creative fun in there," he said. "Music is a kind of spiritual thing anyway."
Speaking to the Telegraph from LA, Mr Stewart said he hoped the project would help struggling, emerging artists to earn money from live gigs in their communities.
He said: "I can't think of a better way to bring the community together to celebrate these historic churches than with music."
Performances are currently planned in specific churches in Colchester, Cambridge, Blackburn, Lancaster, Kings Lynn, and York.
Author: Megan Howe